Figure 8.

Reduced inflammatory cell content of lesions in fibroblast activation protein (Fap)–deficient female mice. Frozen cross-sections of aortic roots 10 μm thick from 26-week–old male and female Apoe^−/− and Apoe^−/−.Fap^−/− mice were stained with antibodies targeted to adhesion G protein–coupled receptor E1 (Adgre1) (green) or IgG isotype control (A) and Cd68 (red) or IgG isotype control (C). Lesional Adgre1⁺ monocyte/macrophage (B) and Cd68⁺ macrophage/foam cell (D) content were quantified and graphed. Fluorescent signal observed in A outside the lesions is tissue autofluorescence that resulted from elastin in the vessel wall or cardiomyocytes in the surrounding myocardium. Atherosclerotic lesions are highlighted with dotted lines. ∗∗P ≤ 0.01, ∗∗∗∗P ≤ 0.0001. Scale bars = 200 μm.