Downregulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2 (JNK2) signaling pathway in macrophages also facilitates anti-inflammatory response via the action of vitamin D. Active vitamin D downregulates macrophage JNK activation, thereby decreasing inflammation and suppressing oxidized LDL cholesterol uptake and foam cell formation, while deletion of JNK2 prevents vitamin-D-deficiency-induced hypertension and atherosclerosis in mice [53]. This evidence concerns the gene MAPK9 and atherosclerosis.