Figure 5.

cRel deficiency reduces atherosclerotic lesions and extracellular matrix changes in response to repeated transient stress. Apo E^−/− mice underwent BM transplantation, receiving BM from either male Apo E^−/−, C57Bl/6-wild-type or cRel^−/− mice-donor mice. After 6 wks of reconstitution, mice either left untreated or subjected to repeated episodes of immobilization stress for 4 wks as described above. (A) Aortae of untreated and stressed ApoE^−/− mice that had received BM from either ApoE^−/− mice (lane 1, 2), C57BL6 mice (lane 3, 4) or cRel^−/− mice (lane 5, 6) were stained with oil red O. The positive area was quantified using ImageJ software and is summarized in the bar graphs. Aortas from at least 3 mice per group were stained and quantified. Statistically significant differences are indicated by (*p < 0.05). Data represent the mean ± SD (n ≥ 3). The RT PCR at the bottom demonstrates the efficiency of the BM engraftment; RNA was isolated from the pBMC of the animals that underwent BM transplantation and assayed for NF-κB cRel transcripts. (B) Frozen aortic sections were stained with Movat pentachrome stain as described in methods. Magnification: 4×, 20×. Sections were analyzed with Image Pro software as described. The results are summarized in the bargraphs and statistical significant differences are indicated by (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01). Data represent the mean ± SD (n = 3).