Heart attacks and strokes are the main causes of death and loss of productive years globally. These clinical complications are caused by atherosclerosis, which is a chronic disease that leads to the accumulation of LDL cholesterol and immune cells in the inner layer of arteries and thereby resulting in the build-up of atherosclerotic plaques. Researchers have now identified that a cytokine called A Proliferation Inducing Ligand (APRIL) plays a major protective role against the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.