CXCL12 and atherosclerosis: In this context, we have shown that atherogenesis-induced endothelial damage is counter-acted by unleashing CXCR4 activity and autocrine CXCL12 expression in endothelial cells through miR-126-containing apoptotic bodies27 and that CXCR4 on vascular cells maintains arterial integrity and limits atherosclerosis by preserving barrier function and a normal contractile vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype26.