Future studies employing endothelial markers (e.g., CD31, VCAM-1, ICAM-1), immune cell markers (e.g., CD68, CD3), as well as human aortic or coronary endothelial cells will be essential to directly validate the endothelial-specific role of Ninj1 under pathophysiological conditions relevant to atherosclerosis. The gene discussed is NINJ1; the disease is atherosclerosis.