Figure 5.

Lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC)–specific Cd47 deficiency reduces atherosclerotic lesion formation. A through M, Male Cd47^WT and Cd47^ΔLEC mice were injected with AAV (adeno-associated virus) 8-PCSK9 IP, fed a Western diet for 16 weeks and atherosclerosis analyzed. A, Representative in situ images of aortic arch (yellow arrowheads point to atherosclerotic lesions). Scale bar, 2 mm. B, Representative en face oil red O (ORO) staining of aorta. Scale bar, 5 mm. C, Quantification of plaque area in aorta (n=13–14). D through G, Bar diagrams show plasma total cholesterol (D), plasma triglycerides (E), fasting blood glucose levels (F), and body composition (fat, lean, and fluid mass; G; n=8–13). H, Representative images of aortic root cross-sections stained with H&E (neointima area), ORO (lipid accumulation), Masson trichrome (collagen content), CD68 (cluster of differentiation; macrophage burden), and necrotic area (encircled in red). Scale bar, 200 µm. I through M, Bar diagrams show neointima area (I), lipid deposition (J), collagen content (K), macrophage accumulation (L), and necrotic area (M) in aortic root sections (n=5–9). Statistical analyses were performed using a 2-tailed unpaired Mann-Whitney U test (C, E, and M), 2-tailed unpaired Student t test (D, F, and I–L), and 2-way ANOVA followed by Sidak post hoc test (G). Data represent mean±SEM.