In experiments to validate the role of RAGE in diabetic atherosclerosis, total atherosclerotic plaque area was found to be significantly increased in apolipoprotein E (apoE) knockout diabetic mice compared with non-diabetic apoE -/- mice, whereas plaque accumulation in apoE and RAGE double knockout diabetic mice was not significantly different from non-diabetic apoE -/- mice. This evidence concerns the gene AGER and atherosclerosis.