Fig. 4.

Nod1/2-deficient mice have reduced atherosclerotic plaque burden and plaque macrophage content. Ldlr^−/− and Ldlr^−/−Nod1/2^−/− mice were fed a HFD diet for 12 weeks. Sections of aortic roots stained with a Oil Red O, antibodies specific for b MOMA-2, c α-SMA and d Sirius Red staining for collagen content in polarized light. Representative pictures are shown, as well as the respective quantification. Oil Red O positive area is expressed as percentage of total surface area of the aortic root and MOMA-2, α-SMA and Sirius Red positive area as percentage of total plaque area. Positive staining for α-SMA and Sirius Red within the vascular wall is not included in the analysis. Plaque area is indicated by a dashed line. Scale bars = 200 µm. e Ccl2, Tnf-α and Il-6 mRNA levels in aortic arch tissue mice were analyzed by real-time PCR. Data were analyzed by Student t-test or Mann Whitney test, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01