Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease, the progression of which is modulated by several factors, including inflammation and hypercholesterolemia. The A₃ adenosine receptor (A₃AR) has been reported to affect mast cell degranulation leading to inflammation, as well as to influence cardiovascular homeostasis. Here, we show that its deletion can also impact vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation in vitro. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that A₃AR deficiency would affect atheromatous lesion development in vivo. Our results indicate that the expression of the matrix enzyme lysyl oxidase (LO) is increased while the proliferation potential of VSMC is decreased in A₃AR‐null aortas. This is in accordance with the previously reported inverse correlation between LO level and proliferation. Nevertheless, we found that A₃‐deficiency does not protect vessels against atherogenesis. This was demonstrated in mouse models of high fat diet‐induced atherosclerosis and guidewire‐induced femoral artery injury. We conclude that the contributions of the A₃AR to inflammation and to modulating LO levels are not significant enough to control vascular response to injury. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.