XBP1s then translocates to the nucleus and transcriptionally regulates genes that are involved in protein folding, ER-associated degradation (ERAD), glycosylation, autophagy, lipid biogenesis, etc.4, 8 Accumulating data has suggested an essential role of XBP1 splicing in angiogenesis, endothelial proliferation, and apoptosis and in VSMCs migration during atherosclerosis and post injury neointima formation 9-11. The gene discussed is XBP1; the disease is atherosclerosis.