Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1 cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18 were shown to be critically involved in the ensuing post-infarct systemic inflammation and progression of atherosclerosis through contributing to the initiation, formation, growth, and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques [13,14,27,62,63]. This evidence concerns the gene IL18 and atherosclerosis.