NINJ1 and atherosclerosis: Additionally, NINJ1 mediates cell membrane rupture, promoting the death of inflammatory cells, releasing damage-associated molecular patterns that promote inflammation and further accelerate atherosclerosis (23).Histopathological and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance studies of carotid plaques have found that plaque enhancement in high-resolution vessel wall imaging is often associated with inflammation and neovascularization within the plaque (24).