Furthermore, validation of the expression patterns, diagnostic efficacy, cellular localization, and biological functions of key mitochondrial genes was conducted using techniques such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence co-staining, and lentiviral transfection, based on human carotid plaque samples, blood samples, and the Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice model of atherosclerosis. This evidence concerns the gene APOE and atherosclerosis.