Method of assessing the risk of atherosclerosis

A method for aiding in the determination of whether a living human is afflicted with atherosclerosis, the method comprising:

• determining the level of small proline-rich protein 3 (SPRR3)protein in a representative biological sample obtained from said living human, said biological sample being selected from the group consisting of an arterial biopsy sample and an arterialized vein;
• comparing the determined level of SPRR3 protein in the representative biological sample obtained from said living human with a range of SPRR3 levels previously defined as characteristic for humans having atherosclerosis;
• and
• concluding from said comparison that the living human is likely suffering from atherosclerosis when a SPRR3 level is in the range of SPRR3 levels previously defined as characteristic for the presence of atherosclerosis as an indication that the living human is suffering from atherosclerosis.