APOE and atherosclerosis: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) plays a crucial role in lipid metabolism by regulating cholesterol homeostasis and preventing atherosclerosis; however, in the absence of ApoE (ApoE−/−), LDL oxidation increases, lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) expression is upregulated, and inflammation is triggered, leading to an accelerated atherosclerotic process [6,7].