Using the low-density lipoprotein-receptor deficiency (LDLR-/-)-[15] and Western-diet-induced model of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis, we analysed the effect of uPAR-deficiency on atherogenesis by comparing uPAR’s role for i) diet-induced spontaneous aortic root atherosclerosis and ii) guide-wire injury (GWI) induced intimal hyperplasia in the carotid artery. The gene discussed is PLAUR; the disease is metabolic syndrome.