APOE and atherosclerosis: However, the role of adiponectin in atherosclerosis is controversial, as treatment with adiponectin reduces atherosclerosis in male apolipoprotein E (apoe)−/− mice [7], while lack of the adiponectin gene in low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) ldlr−/− or apoe−/− mice showed no effect on plaque [8].