CLEC9A and atherosclerosis: In this regard, the whole-body deletion of Clec9a in Apoe−/− mice or its specific deletion in the BM of Ldlr−/− mice significantly attenuated leukocyte content (macrophages and T cells) and increased the expression of IL10/IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine) in arterial plaques, thereby diminishing atherosclerosis [146].