Activation of extracellular signal regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) leads to a proliferative response in many cell types, including smooth muscle, where it has been connected with pathologic hypertrophy and hyperplasia, prerequisites for the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis [1], [2], [3], [4]. This evidence concerns the gene MAPK3 and atherosclerosis.