Although the ApoE-/- streptozotocin model is an established mouse model and considered to be a suitable model to study diabetes-associated atherosclerosis, we cannot exclude the possibility that metabolic changes typically observed in type 2 diabetic patients, such as obesity, increased insulin levels, or impaired insulin signaling, further affect plaque stability. Here, INS is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.