Fig. 1.

Transgenic expression of HNP1 protects from atherosclerosis. Apoe^−/− and Apoe^−/− HNP1^tg/tg mice were fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks. (A) Quantification of atherosclerotic lesion sizes in HE-stained aortic root sections. (B) Assessment of lipid deposition in in Oil Red O-stained aortic root sections. (C) Analysis of Mac2⁺ cells indicating macrophage accumulation. Fluorescence images represent macrophages. Valves are zoomed in as indicated by dashed boxes in panel (B). (D) Plasma cholesterol levels. (E) FPLC-assisted fractionation of plasma lipids. (F) Pearson correlation of plasma cholesterol levels and lipid deposition (Oil Red O⁺ area) in aortic root sections. Data in A–D were analyzed by unpaired t-test. Scale bars represent 500 μm (A, B) or 100 μm (C).