To determine whether sVCAM-1 or insoluble (cell-associated) VCAM-1 mediates α9β1-dependent early atherosclerosis in vivo, we examined the co-localization of VCAM-1 with Mac-3, a marker for mature macrophages, in atherosclerotic plaques from α9Mye-KOApoe−/− and control α9WTApoe−/− mice. This evidence concerns the gene VCAM1 and atherosclerosis.