In Ldlr−/− mice implanted with Asc−/−, Nlrp3−/−, or IL-1β−/− bone marrow, atherosclerosis and inflammasome-dependent IL-18 levels were significantly reduced relative to mice implanted with wild-type bone marrow, suggesting NLRP3 inflammasome functions are genetically determined [129]. Here, IL1B is linked to atherosclerosis.