Figure 5.

Targeting TLR2 attenuates expression of TLR2 and endogenous ligands in CaCl₂-injured vascular tissue. (A) A time-dependent increase of TLR2⁺ cells was found in CaCl₂-injured vascular tissue (n=5/time point/group). Targeting TLR2 reduced TLR2⁺ cells in adventitia (6 weeks, n=8; 12 weeks, n=10). (B) TLR2⁺ cells colocalized with CD11b⁺ macrophages in adventitia. DNA (top left, DAPI, blue); TLR2 (top right, green); CD11b (bottom left, red); merge of TLR2, CD11b and DNA (bottom right); yellow arrowheads indicate TLR2⁺/CD11b⁺/adventitial macrophages. (C) Colocalization (yellow) of HMGB1 (red) and TLR2 (green) was detected by immunofluorescence (arrowheads). (D) A time-dependent increase in HMGB1 expression was found in CaCl₂-injured vascular tissue (n=5/time point/group). (E) Blocking TLR2 attenuated HMGB1 expression (n=6). Data are means±SD. ^#P<0.05, ^##P<0.01, ^###P<0.001, compared to sham group. ^⁎P<0.05, ^⁎⁎⁎P<0.001, compared to CaCl₂ group.