CD68 and atherosclerosis: When Bmal1 is constitutively deleted in the Ldr−/− background, atherosclerosis is enhanced (≈2.5-fold).115 However, when Bmal1 deletion in various tissues is induced by tamoxifen (EsrcreERT2:Bmal1flox) in adult Ldr−/− mice, the severity of atherosclerosis and the expression of Cd68, Ccl2, and Nos2 in the aorta are reduced (2–4-fold)115 (Table 2).