IFNG and atherosclerosis: ERK was also demonstrated to be activated by IFNγ, enabling this cytokine to exert its effects on several key genes involved in the progression of atherosclerosis, such as ABCA1, MCP-1, and ICAM-1, which are responsible for facilitating the transmigration of monocytes into the inner layer of blood vessels, initiating the uptake of cholesterol for foam-cell formation [57].