Abstract: The subject invention provides a naturally occurring antigen indicative of the presence of atherosclerotic plaque. The subject invention provides a murine-human chimeric monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to an antigen indicative of the presence of atherosclerotic plaque; and methods and reagents involving the use of the murine-human chimeric monoclonal antibody. The subject invention provides a CDR-grafted antibody; and methods and reagents involving the use of the CDR-grafted antibody. The subject invention provides a surrogate antigen; methods and reagents involving the use of the surrogate antigen, preparation of the surrogate antigen, antibodies generated from the surrogate antigen.