Interleukin-1 potently contributes to 25-hydroxycholesterol-induced synergistic cytokine production in smooth muscle cell-monocyte interactions.

Objectives: Inflammation is essential for atherogenesis. Cholesterol, a cardiovascular risk factor, may activate inflammation in the vessel wall during this process. Cytokine-mediated interactions of human monocytes with vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) may perpetuate this process.