VCAM1 and atherosclerosis: Thus, apremilast may prevent the progression of atherosclerosis via several mechanisms, including the inhibition of ox-LDL uptake via reduced LOX-1 expression, suppression of the inflammatory response via reduced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 expression, and reduced adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells via KLF6-mediated suppression of MCP-1 and VCAM-1 expression.