TNF and atherosclerosis: Although there is strong evidence of systemic inflammation in the bone marrow MCPIP1−/− mice, including inflammatory cell infiltration in multiple organs, increased pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic plasma cytokines (TNFα and IL-6), and increased total serum IgG and anti-oxidized LDL IgG, which are commonly believed to be pro-atherogenic [16], [19] but may also have potential protective effects against atherosclerosis [20], the leukocyte profile in the spleen is overall anti-atherogenic.