2) Also, we chose to inject our WT and MacKO mice with a gain-of-function PCSK9-AAV to induce atherosclerosis (2.5 × 10^10 viral particles per mouse), which, at this concentration when coupled with the WD-feeding, resulted in levels of circulating cholesterol and plaque sizes that were lower than what is typically observed in LDLr-deficient mice (23). The gene discussed is PCSK9; the disease is atherosclerosis.