Fig. 7.
Targeted delivery of F/R-liposomes to inflamed endothelium reduces atherosclerosis development in vivo. a HAoEC treated with untargeted or targeted DiI-filled liposomes were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. (representative images of n = 4, scale bar = 50 μm) b After IP injection with PBS or 10 ng/ml TNFα 24 h before killing or 1 week HFD, ApoE −/− mice were treated with DiI-filled untargeted or sLex-targeted liposomes via tail vein injection. Aortas were collected and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy for areas of DiI-liposome uptake. (Scale bar = 100 μm, representative images of n = 3) c–i ApoE −/− mice were fed a HFD for 6 weeks while receiving weekly IP injections of PBS, or tail vein injection of targeted liposomes filled with either PBS or 10 μM Forskolin/5 μM Rolipram (F/R). (representative images of n = 8) c Aortas were stained with Oil Red O and plaque areas were quantified with ImageJ software. d Aortic root sections were stained using Oil Red O to visualize plaque development, MOMA-2 to visualize macrophage content, SM22α to visualize SMC content, and PL to visualize the CC formation h. These values were quantified in e, f, g, and i, respectively. (Error bars represent SEM, *p < 0.05, IP: intraperitoneal, scale bar Aorta = 1 cm, Oil Red-O = 500 μm, scale bar MOMA-2/SMA/PL = 100 μm, IP intraperitoneal injection)