ATG12 and atherosclerosis: ATG5 is conjugated with ATG12 and ATG16L to form ATG12–ATG5–ATG16L complex, which contributes to the elongation and closure of the autophagosomes in the generation of lipidated forms of LC3 family proteins.9 Lipoautophagy, a type of autophagy that selectively delivers LDs for lysosomal degradation,10 regulates lipid metabolism and is involved in the process of atherosclerosis.11, 12, 13, 14 In advanced atherosclerosis, macrophage autophagy becomes dysfunctional.