Figure 6. HSP27 over-expression results in increased aortic stiffness.

Aortic stiffness measured in apoE^−/− and apoE^−/−HSP27^o/e mice fed a high fat diet for 12 weeks. (A) The custom made vessel-stretching device is composed of a motorized stage with a linear voice coil motor used to perform loading and unloading cycles. (B–C) To determine the stress applied to vessels during stretching, we measured the unloaded vessel area by the microscopic measurement of aortic ring segments length (B) and wall thickness (C). (D) The aortic rings were slipped on two parallel hooks and immersed in a physiological Krebs solution maintained at 37°C. (E) Male and female apoE^−/−HSP27^o/e mice showed an increase of aorta stiffness compared to apoE^−/− counterparts.