While traditional risk factors cannot fully predict the risk associated with the development of accelerated atherosclerosis in SLE, new mouse models, such as our apoE-/-Fas-/- B6 model, that exhibit both autoimmune manifestations and advanced atherogenesis, may aid in the understanding of pathways that contribute to the onset and progression of systemic autoimmune diseases with cardiovascular involvement. The gene discussed is APOE; the disease is atherosclerosis.