PCSK9 and atherosclerosis: In a basic study, PCSK9 silencing inhibits atherosclerosis without changing plasma cholesterol levels by reducing vascular inflammation and blocking the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway (29).In addition, PCSK9 expressed by macrophages promoted atherosclerosis by increasing plaque monocyte infiltration and expression of inflammatory markers independent of circulating cholesterol levels (86).