Described herein are methods of inhibiting M-CSF activity, and, in particular, M-CSF/c-fms dependent cell signaling. In a first embodiment of the invention, one administers to a mammal viral vectors that deliver genes experessing antisense c-fms RNA; in a second embodiment, one induces in vivo production of a high-affinity soluble c-fms protein that competes for non-bound M-CSF; in a third embodiment, one administers a ribozyme-viral vector against c-fms mRNA; and in a fourth embodiment, one administers oligodeoxynucleotides that inhibit expression of c-fms gene product. The methods may be used to treat any disease in which M-CSF activity plays a role, and are particularly effective in treating and preventing atherosclerosis.Embodiments of the present invention are directed primarily, but not exclusively, to a method for treating and preventing cardiovascular disease by inhibiting receptors to M-CSF. Other embodiments of the present invention include any and all biologic and/or pathobiologic phenomena mediated in whole or in part by M-CSF signaling through its receptor. Pathobiologic phenomena include, but are not limited to, disease entities such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes mellitus (Type 1 and/or Type 2), infectious diseases, cancer, and inherited disorders characterized by defects in one or more components in the M-CSF signaling pathway.