Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of EcSOD in the adventitia of rat femoral arteries reduced neointimal formation with reduced oxidative stress, smooth muscle cell proliferation, iNOS expression, apoptosis and collagen content in the vascular wall following a cuff-injury [81], suggesting that enhanced EcSOD activity in the vascular wall is sufficient to protect against atherosclerosis. Here, SOD3 is linked to atherosclerosis.