CST3 and atherosclerosis: Homozygosity for the minor allele of the rs17782313 SNP is also associated with a decrease in ApoA1 and an increase in cystatin C. ApoA1 is a protein that stimulates reverse lipid transport, favoring the elimination of cholesterol, in addition to an anti-inflammatory effect, and thus protecting against atherosclerosis; thus, a decrease in ApoA1 constitutes a risk factor, since it could interfere with its function [33].