Overview of immune cell localization, cytokine secretion, and interaction with smooth muscle cells within the arterial wall during atherosclerosis progression. Arrows indicate the origin and target of immune mediators between the different cell types involved in atherosclerosis. The yellow area indicates the necrolipidic core. D-SMC, differentiated smooth muscle cell; S-SMC, synthetic smooth muscle cell; Lto like-SMC, tissue organizer-like smooth muscle cell; SM like-FC, smooth muscle like-foam cell; MΦ like SMC, macrophage like smooth muscle cell; apoptotic SMC, apoptotic smooth muscle cell; EC, epithelial cell; Fbl, fibroblast; TLO, tertiary lymphoid organ; IEL, internal elastic lamina; EEL, external elastic lamina; TC, lymphocyte T cell; BC, lymphocyte B cell; MΦ, macrophage; FC, foam cell; apoptotic MΦ, apoptotic macrophage; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; oxLDL, oxidized low-density lipoprotein; NETs, neutrophils extracellular traps; TLR, Toll-like receptor; CD, cluster of differentiation; KLF4, Kruppel-like factor 4; IgE, immunoglobulin type E; H4, histone H4; ICAM, intercellular adhesion molecule; VCAM, vascular cell adhesion molecule; IFN, interferon; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor; MCP1, monocyte chemokine protein 1; TGF, transforming growth factor; CXCL, C-X-C motif chemokine; CCL, chemokine Ligands.