Figure 2.

Lamin A/C deficiency in hematopoietic cells accelerates atherosclerosis development in atheroprone Ldlr^−/− mice. A, Protocol for atherosclerosis studies. B, Representative immunofluorescence images of peripheral blood granulocytes from wild-type (WT) and Lmna^−/− mice. The WT cell shows the perinuclear staining characteristic of lamin A/C (green), which is absent in Lmna^−/− cells. C, Transplant efficiency shown as the percentage of CD45.2⁺ cells in the total white blood cell (WBC) population 4 weeks after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), evaluated by flow cytometry (n=7 WT; n=10 Lmna^−/−). Statistical differences were assessed by the 2-tailed unpaired t test. D, Body weight evolution over the 6-week fat-feeding period (n=10 WT; n=9 Lmna^−/−). Statistical significance was determined by ANOVA. E, Absolute blood cell counts of WBC subpopulations in peripheral blood of reconstituted animals after 6 weeks of fat feeding (n=9, both genotypes). Statistical significance was determined by the multiple t test with the Holm-Sidak method, with α=0.05. Each cell population was analyzed individually, without assuming a consistent SD. F, Fasting plasma lipid concentration after 6 weeks of fat feeding (n=10, both genotypes). Statistical significance was determined by the multiple t test with the Holm-Sidak method, with α=0.05. Each cell population was analyzed individually, without assuming a consistent SD. G, Representative images of Oil Red O–stained aortas and quantification of plaque burden in the aortic arch (n=10, both genotypes). Statistical differences were assessed by the 2-tailed unpaired t test. H, Representative images of Oil Red O–stained right carotid arteries and quantification of plaque burden (n=5 WT; n=7 Lmna^−/−). Statistical differences were assessed by the 2-tailed unpaired t test. BM indicates bone marrow; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HFD, high-fat diet; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; and TG, triglyceride.