APOE and atherosclerosis: Because atherosclerosis progression in ApoE–/– mice is not affected by the B2-specific antagonist, HOE140 (13), atherosclerosis promotion by Bdkrb2 in ApoE–/– mice could largely be mediated by the angiotensin II AT1 receptor-sensitizing function of Bdkrb2, which is bradykinin-independent (25, 41).