Cross talk between smooth muscle cells and monocytes/activated monocytes via CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis augments expression of pro-atherogenic molecules

► Cross-talk between SMC-monocytes induces an inflammatory response in both cell types. ► Up-regulation of TNFα, CX3CR1 and MMP-9 is dependent on fractalkine/CXRCR1 axis. ► IL-1β and IL6 up-regulation is independent of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 pair. ► Fractalkine-CX3CR1 binding triggers the activation of AP-1 transcription factor.