The TEBVs are then tested in the presence of eLDL, the cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and the addition of circulating monocytes in cell media or human whole blood with notable changes in vasoactivity, permeability, endothelial activation, as well as monocyte accumulation and foam cell formation in the vessel wall, all important hallmarks of early atherosclerosis. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and atherosclerosis.