Adiponectin can potentially inhibit all the molecular pathways of atherosclerosis, including monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells by adhesion molecules, ox-LDL uptake of macrophages through scavenger receptors and proliferation of migrated smooth muscle cells by the action of platelet-derived growth factors and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor. The gene discussed is HBEGF; the disease is atherosclerosis.