SLC15A2 and atherosclerosis: Finally, we would like to mention that one of the most significantly downregulated genes in Atg16l1 deficient versus WT DCs (whether CD8α+ or CD11b+) was Slc15a2. This gene encodes a proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter recently found to mediate the transport of bacterially derived di-and tri-peptides that activate NOD receptors in bone marrow–derived macrophages.40 Although the relevance to atherosclerosis remains unknown, this finding may have important implications for the mechanisms of Crohn disease.