Figure 2.

Evidence for enhancement of features associated with plaque stability by anti-CD40L antibody treatment. Ldlr-deficient mice consumed a high-cholesterol diet for 13 weeks before treatment with either rat IgG, saline, or anti-CD40L antibody (α-CD40L) for 13 weeks during continued high-cholesterol diet. Aortic arches were perfused with PBS and snap-frozen, and sequential (6 μm) tissue sections were examined for the expression of α-actin (SMCs), CD68 (macrophages, MØ), or interstitial collagen by Picrosirius red polarization. The carotid arteries are on top, and the aortic sinus on the right. Representative specimens are shown.