PCSK9 and atherosclerosis: Anti-atherosclerotic effect: PCSK9 inhibitors reduce the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase the levels of interleukin-10 (an anti-inflammatory interleukin), decreasing the expression of TNF-α and the C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) and thereby inhibiting the mechanisms that promote atherosclerosis.