Figure 1. The LPA_1/3 antagonist, Ki16425, reduces atherosclerosis development.

(a) Atherosclerotic plaque size in the aortic root of the heart was determined by an Oil-Red-O staining on 10 μm sections; representative pictures are shown. Blockade of receptors LPA_1/3 resulted in a 40% reduction in atherosclerosis. (b) The Ki16425 treated mice had significantly lower atherosclerotic plaque development throughout the entire three valve area of the aortic root. (c) Macrophage expression levels were measured using a MOMA-2 staining; LPA_1/3 antagonism led to 45% less macrophage accumulation within the aortic root of the hearts. (d) The relative amount of macrophages in the atherosclerotic plaques was not significantly affected by the Ki16425 treatment. (e) Mast cell numbers (#) and (f) activation state, as well as (g) neutrophil numbers were manually quantified using a Naphthol AS-D chloro-acetate esterase staining; no difference was observed in the number or degranulation status of mast cells in the aortic root. Neutrophil numbers were found significantly reduced by 31% in the aortic root of the Ki16425 group as compared to the control. All values (n = 12/grp) are depicted as mean ± SEM (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01).