VCAM1 and atherosclerosis: Overall, shedding of the GCX is an important factor in atherosclerosis, because it exposes cell membrane adhesion molecules, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which are required for the adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelial surface [43], therefore initiating an inflammatory response.