The study of vascular physiology and pathology is often pursued with the use of moderate severity animal models such as carotid ligation or wire injury, in some case presenting genetic mutations to emulate specific co-morbidities such as diabetes [db/db mice: homozygous for the diabetes-inducing spontaneous mutation (Leprdb)] and hypercholesterolemia (apolipoprotein E knockout mice; ApoE-/-) (3). The gene discussed is APOE; the disease is diabetes mellitus.