Figure 1 Cytokines and adhesion molecules in the early stages of atherogenesis. Circulating leucocytes are activated by proinflammatory cytokines, and they adhere to vascular endothelium. Adhesion molecules, whose expression is also regulated by proinflammatory cytokines, play a key role in the subendothelial migration of leucocytes. ICAM‐1, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1; PECAM‐1, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule; Sel, selectin; VCAM‐1, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1.