IL1A and atherosclerosis: Indeed, we show that IL-1α potently drives VSMC proliferation via NF-κB.Interestingly, the well-reported reduction in plaque size upon thrombin inhibition wasabsent in IL-1αTM/Apoe−/− mice, suggesting the action ofthrombin inhibitors on atherosclerosis are, in part, via reduced IL-1α activation.