Because both NLRP3 and caspase-1 deficiency decreases atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice (Gage et al., 2012; Usui et al., 2012; Zheng et al., 2014), therapeutic modulation of NLRP3 or caspase-1 activity is likely to offer significant health benefits for patients with severe atherosclerosis. Here, APOE is linked to atherosclerosis.