While the development of atherosclerosis was associated with increased plasma levels of IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and C-C motif chemokine ligand-5 (CCL-5), increased MCP-1 and CCL-5 were specifically observed in SCI mice versus uninjured controls. The gene discussed is CCL5; the disease is atherosclerosis.