These results suggest that even though Batf3 might be detected in an early developmental stage of resident macrophage precursors, Ldlr-/-Batf3-/- mice show a selective decrease in CD8α+ and CD103+ APC populations and no differences in macrophage accumulation or foam cell formation that could have contributed to atherosclerosis lesion formation. The gene discussed is ITGAE; the disease is atherosclerosis.