In a murine model of atherosclerosis the inhibition of the CXCR4-CXCL12 axis by AMD or transplantation of CXCR4 deficient bone marrow led to an increased number of circulating leukocytes (predominantly neutrophils) correlating with atherosclerotic lesions (Zernecke et al., 2008). This evidence concerns the gene CXCL12 and atherosclerosis.