IL6 and atherosclerosis: Studies do not indicate a direct relationship between serum calprotectin, lipid profile and risk of atherosclerosis; however, in a study by Ionita et al. [35] higher levels of calprotectin subunit (described as MRP-14) were found in atherosclerotic lesions with high macrophage staining, large lipid core and high levels of IL-6 and interleukin 8 (IL-8).