In order to mimic the low-grade inflammation state that exists in postmenopausal women with atherosclerosis, we pre-incubated the endothelial cells with TNF-α at a low concentration [86,87] and then co-incubated them with E2 at various concentrations, including the low concentrations found in the serum of women receiving estrogen replacement therapy. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is atherosclerosis.