TLR9 and atherosclerosis: TLR3 is most expressed in the carotid arteries and aorta, TLR7 in the iliac and carotid arteries, and TLR9 with overall low expression but most prominent expression in the iliac arteries28 TLR 2,3,4,7, and 9 stimulation have been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis through combination of promoting of lipid uptake into the plaques, monocyte activation, endothelial dysfunction, and foam cell formation29–34.