Remarkably, when HSPs were induced in apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE−/−) mice prior to the formation of atheromas, the progression of atherosclerosis was inhibited; the short-term induction of HSPs significantly decreased the mRNA expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) in the aorta. The gene discussed is APOE; the disease is atherosclerosis.