IL1A and atherosclerosis: However,IL-1αTM/Apoe−/− plaques have reduced vascular smoothmuscle cells, collagen, and fibrous caps, indicative of a more unstable phenotype.Interestingly, the reduced atherogenesis seen with thrombin inhibition was absent inIL-1αTM/Apoe−/− mice, suggesting that thrombin inhibitorscan affect atherosclerosis via reduced IL-1α activation.