Figure 5.

Ad-TOP-dn-N-cadherin Transgene Delivery in a Mouse Carotid Artery Ligation Model Significantly Increased Apoptosis and Reduced Neointimal Thickening

Adenoviral delivery of Ad-β-Gal transgene in Pluronic F-127 gel to a ligated carotid artery and adenoviral delivery of Ad-TOP-dn-N-cad transgene. (A) Representative cleaved caspase-3 immunohistochemistry at 3 days. Arrows indicate positive cells (green); nuclei are stained blue with DAPI. Scale bar, 25 μm; applies to both panels. Dotted line indicates the lumenal surface. (B) Quantification of cleaved caspase-3 positive cells. * indicates a significant difference from Ad-β-Gal control, p < 0.05, Student’s t test, n = 4 per group. (C) Representative images show neointimal thickening in Miller’s EVG-stained sections at 21 days. Dotted line indicates the intimal:medial boundary. Scale bar, 200 μm; applies to both panels. (D) Quantification of neointimal area at 21 days. * indicates a significant difference from Ad-β-Gal control, p < 0.05, n = 12 (Ad-β-Gal) and n = 10 (Ad-TOP-dn-N-cad), Student’s t test. Error bars represent SEM.