Additionally, our data demonstrated that up-regulation of miR-9 reduced the aortic plaque area, the proliferation of collagen fibers, Mac-3-labeled macrophages as well as the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α by down-regulating SDC2 via inhibition of the FAK/ERK signaling pathway, thereby ameliorating atherosclerosis in ACS. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is atherosclerosis.