Figure 4.

Gadd153 function in neovascularization in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) lesions. CD31+ (A) and proangiogenic laminin-5 fragment γ2+ (B) microvessel numbers were reduced in AAA lesions from Gadd153-/-mice. The number of mice per group is indicated in each bar. Both measurements are from the entire lesion including adventitia and media. Aortic ring assay in vitro demonstrated impaired microvessel sprouting from Gadd153-/-mouse aortic rings with or without angiogenic factor bFGF (C). RT-PCR showed reduced mRNA levels of cathepsins S, B and K in microvessel endothelial cells (MHEC) from Gadd153-/-mice compared with those from WT mice (D).