IL1A and atherosclerosis: IL-1 is a known immunomodulatory cytokine that increases the production of other proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines (specifically IL-6) and thus starts a cascade promoting atherosclerosis and plaque destabilization in CV patients, characterized by increased endothelial expression of cell adhesion molecules, endothelial and smooth muscle cell proliferation, and increased vascular permeability and macrophage activation [34].