Figure 2.

Targeting TLR2 protects mice from the development of AAA. The CaCl₂-induced AAA mice were immediately treated with the indicated agents for 6 weeks. (A) A representative photograph of aortas showed that doxycycline and TLR2ab decreased the maximal external aortic diameters (n=12–15/group). (B) A representative ultrasound image of aortas (arrows indicate the aorta lumen), and histological studies of AAA. (C) H&E stains of cross sections of aorta (top), local lesions (middle) and VVG stains for elastin (bottom). (D) Quantitative elastin content analysis is shown as the percentage of the surface area occupied by elastic fibers stained with VVG. (E) Internal aortic diameter was reduced by TLR2ab, as indicated by morphometry using H&E staining of cross sections of the aorta (middle panel of C). Arrowheads indicate elastic lamella (n=8/group). Data are means±SD. ^##P<0.01, ^###P<0.001, compared to sham group. ^⁎P<0.05, ^⁎⁎P<0.01, compared to CaCl₂ group.