The results of the present study provide a partial understanding of the function of HSP60 in atherosclerosis development: 1) both PDGF-BB and IL-8, under stress conditions, can activate HSP60 expression and release from endothelial cells and SMCs (Fig. 8a); 2) recombinant HSP60 stimulates the migration of VSMCs via TLR4 and ERK MAPK activation (Fig. 8b); and 3) HSP60 expression is a potent ‘danger signal’ to the immune system to generate IL-8, which assists in the management of an infection or disease. Here, TLR4 is linked to atherosclerosis.