CCL2 and atherosclerosis: Overexpression of pro-atherogenic cytokines—including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p70, IL-18, IL-23, interferons (IFNs), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1—promotes vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis, whereas their mutation reduces both the number and size of atherosclerotic lesions.