Figure 2.

Atherosclerotic lesion distribution and morphology is altered in CD36-deficient mice. The entire aorta from apo E–null (a) and CD36-apo E double-null (b) mice were dissected and opened longitudinally. Oil red-O–stained lesions occur in all regions of the aorta from the apo E–null mouse, whereas in the aorta from the CD36-apo E double-null mouse lesions are seen primarily in the aortic arch. ×20. Hearts were dissected from apo E–null (c) and CD36-apo E double-null (d) mice fed a normal chow diet, cryosectioned at the level of the valve leaflets, and stained with oil red-O and fast green. Lesions in apo E–null mice contained lipid-laden, intensely oil red-O–stained foam cells, cellular areas of less oil red-O positivity, empty spaces, and cholesterol clefts. Those in CD36-apo E double-null mice contained only rare areas lacking cells or containing cholesterol clefts. ×250.