Lesion area in aortic roots was also analyzed: atherosclerotic lesion area in the roots of apoE−/− mice was 100,405 ± 27,024 μm2, and CETP expression significantly increased atherosclerosis in apoE−/− mice (416,848 ± 80,959 μm2) (supplemental Fig. S1A, B). Here, APOE is linked to atherosclerosis.