It should be further noted that while our study suggests a causal role of TSP-1 in atherosclerosis driven by metabolic aberrations, whether TSP-1 plays a direct role in MetS-induced atherosclerosis is yet to be determined and would require generation of atherosclerotic KKAy+/–ApoE–/– mice lacking TSP-1. The gene discussed is APOE; the disease is metabolic syndrome.