In the early stage of atherosclerosis, inflammation is mainly associated with mononuclear macrophage infiltration and increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β, while in the progressive stage of atherosclerosis, it mainly manifests as massive VSMC proliferation 61, 119, 120. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is atherosclerosis.