SAA1 and atherosclerosis: In atheroma, it is seen in endothelial cells, SMC, macrophage-derived “foam cells”, adventitial macrophages and adipocytes [3] and SAA overexpression in apolipoprotein (Apo) E−/− mice increased plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and chemokine (C–C motif) ligand-2 and accelerated progression of atherosclerosis [14].