Atherosclerotic plaques produce the apoptosis protease caspase-3, which is linked to apoptotic cells that cause plaque rupture.20 Apoptosis not only causes the atherosclerotic plaque to become fragile and rupture, but it also stimulates the absorption of OX-LDL by the endothelium by turning macrophages into foam cells.21 Therefore, suppressing the genes that trigger apoptosis may be a successful strategy to prevent atherosclerosis from progressing. The gene discussed is CASP3; the disease is atherosclerosis.