Based on investigations on the same non-human primate model of diet induced metabolic syndrome in tandem with vascular cells exposed to hyperglycemic conditions in vitro, the present study proposes that DDR2 may be a molecular link between hyperglycemia and arterial fibrosis and a potential drug target in the control of adverse arterial remodeling associated with metabolic stress and, possibly, other vascular pathologies. This evidence concerns the gene DDR2 and metabolic syndrome.