SHANK3 and atherosclerosis: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report that Shank3-related ASD contributes to atherosclerosis development through the combined effects of cholesterol homeostasis and fatty acid metabolism, and an anti-inflammatory effect, inhibiting the expression of FASN and VCAM-1 and suppressing the activation of the p38, JNK, and NF-κB signaling pathways (Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7).