EMAP-II is activated during apoptosis by cleavage of pro-EMAP through caspase 8 and enhances the recruitment of inflammatory cells by its chemotactic properties. Besides its chemotactic effect on inflammatory cells, EMAP-II increases the adhesiveness of coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMC) for monocytes. EMAP-II also has anti-angiogenic properties, which are explained by its pro-apoptotic effect on endothelial cells.