This invention provides for a method for inhibiting new tissue growth in blood vessels in a subject, wherein the subject experienced blood vessel injury, which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of an inhibitor of receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) so as to inhibit new tissue growth in the subject's blood vessels. The invention also provides for method for inhibiting neointimal formation in blood vessels in a subject, wherein the subject experienced blood vessel injury, which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of an inhibitor of receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) so as to inhibit neointimal formation in the subject's blood vessels. The invention also provides a method for preventing exaggerated restenosis in a diabetic subject which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of an inhibitor of receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) so as to prevent exaggerated restenosis in the subject.