While we and others have found SMC-MR to play a role in the proliferative and fibrotic responses to carotid wire injury, hypertension, and aging, as mentioned above, the results of the present study would suggest that these vascular roles for SMC-MR do not extend to atherosclerosis, at least in the genetic ApoE−/− model. The gene discussed is APOE; the disease is Hypertension.