However, the expression of CETP did not affect atherosclerosis in apoE−/− SAA-TKO mice (6.2 ± 0.9% compared with 5.1 ± 1.1% in the presence and absence of CETP expression, respectively, P = NS) (Fig. 3), and the interaction was significant (P = 0.043). Here, APOE is linked to atherosclerosis.