CCL2 and atherosclerosis: Furthermore, OxPLs have a direct impact on EC function, as evidenced by OxPLs-driven effects in chronic vascular inflammation associated with atherosclerosis and manifested by enhanced adhesion of monocytes to EC, augmented expression of several inflammatory genes and secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) (2, 8, 37).