The presence of leukocyte CC-chemokine receptor 2 in CCR2 knockout mice promotes atherogenesis

These results point at a dominant role of leukocyte CCR2 in atherogenesis, implying that CCR2 from nonleukocyte sources, like endothelial cells or smooth muscle cells, is less critical in the initiation of atherosclerosis. Pharmacological inhibition of leukocyte CCR2 function might be a promising strategy to prevent atherosclerosis.