The atherosclerosis-inhibiting effect associated with decreased numbers of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, decreased expression of the adhesion molecule VCAM-1; of the chemoattractant MCP-1; and of the cytokines IL-1β, IL-12, IL-18, and TNF-α and increased the expression of TGF-β in the atherosclerotic lesions. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and atherosclerosis.