IL6 and atherosclerosis: Macrophages drive the progression of atherosclerosis through multiple pathways: (1) absorb oxidized low-density lipoprotein, transforming into foam cells that help expand the lipid core within plaques; (2) generate reactive oxygen species, intensifying local oxidative stress; and (3) excrete inflammatory cytokines like TNF, IL-1, and IL-6, exacerbating the inflammatory response within the arterial vessel wall [32].