Together, the publication by Song et al. and our own research uncover similarities (i.e. increased circulating monocyte levels in the absence of ACOD1), but also important differences (inflammatory status and phenotype of atherosclerotic plaques), and complementary mechanisms (apoptosis and necrosis aspect in our study, and the importance of NRF2 in the work of Song et al.)that should all be taken into account when considering exploiting the IRG1-itaconate axis for atherosclerosis therapy. Here, ACOD1 is linked to atherosclerosis.