Figure 9. Reduction of α_M expression in ApoE^−/− macrophages inhibits ER expression and enhances foam cell formation in a gender-dependent manner.

(A) Western blot analysis of peritoneal macrophages derived from ApoE^−/− male and female mice were untreated or treated with control or α_M (Itgam) siRNA as described in Materials and Methods. The Western blots were developed with respective Abs as indicated and images are representative of 3 independent experiments. (B) Densitometric analysis of Western blots from A. (*P< 0.05 α_M siRNA-treated vs untreated or control siRNA-treated ApoE^−/− macrophages, n=6). (C) Foam cell formation from ApoE^−/− macrophages that were untreated or treated with control or α_M siRNA was measured as described in Materials and Methods. (*P<0.05 α_M siRNA-treated vs untreated or control siRNA-treated ApoE^−/− macrophages, n=6). Data are representative of three independent experiments.