The chemokines CCL2 (also known as MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1)), CCL5, and CXCL10 (also known as IP-10 (interferon gamma-induced protein 10)) play a central role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis by recruiting and activating inflammatory cells. The gene discussed is CCL2; the disease is atherosclerosis.