Fig. 5.

VSMC apoptosis induced after vessel injury augments cell proliferation. a Schematic of SM22α-DTR transgenic mice and DT administration protocol. The left common carotid artery was ligated and DT administered to SM22α-DTR (DTR) or wild-type littermate control mice (wild type) on 3 occasions from 1-2w. Carotid arteries were collected at 2w. b-d TUNEL or immunohistochemistry for Ki67 b or quantification c-d in left common carotid artery (LCCA) or right common carotid artery (RCCA) wild-type control or SM22α-DTR mice treated with DT. Insets show high power views of areas outlined. Scale bar = 100µ m. Data are means ± SD, n = 10