Atherogenesis is the process by which atherosclerotic plaques form, a critical step in the disease, atherosclerosis.

Low-density lipoprotein complexes (LDLs), which are the primary means of transporting cholesterol in the blood, are readily oxidized. These oxidations include peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids, hydroxylation of cholesterol, and oxidation of amino acid residues in the apoprotein. A class of white blood cells recognizes the oxidation and absorbs the LDL through its scavenger receptor. After a white blood cell has absorbed numerous LDLs containing cholesterol, it becomes engorged and is referred to as a foam cell. Foam cells attract other white blood cells, which leads to accumulation of more cholesterol. Ultimately, this accumulation of cholesterol becomes one of the chief chemical constituents of the atherosclerotic plaque that forms at the site.