VCAM1 and atherosclerosis: In the early stages of atherosclerosis, the activated endothelium recruits circulating immune cells to the site of inflammation by releasing cytokines and cellular adhesion molecules, particularly intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), facilitating vascular permeability and leukocyte migration [6].