Figure 6.

Plaque in situ gelatinase activity is decreased in Col8^−/−;ApoE^−/− mice. Representative longitudinal sections of plaques in the aortic arch from Col8^+/+;ApoE^−/− mice (A) or Col8^−/−;ApoE^−/− mice (B) after 12 weeks of an atherogenic diet. Bright green fluorescence represents the area of gelatinase activity (arrow in A). C: Average ranked score of gelatinase activity in the plaques. Black bars represent values from Col8^+/+;ApoE^−/− mice (n = 6), and hatched bars represent values from Col8^−/−;ApoE^−/− mice (n = 8). ^∗P ≤ 0.05 comparing genotypes.