Fig. 7. Pharmacological AMPK activation induced autophagy and suppressed atherosclerosis in HuR^SMKO mice.

A Western blot analysis of VSMCs transfected with CTR or HuR siRNA for 48 h, then treated with 200 μM A769662 for 1 h (n = 5). CTR and HuR^SMKO mice were single injected with rAAV/D377Y-mPCSK9, then intraperitoneally injected with 30 mg/kg A769662 daily and fed a Paigen diet for 12 weeks. B Oil-red O staining in aortas (n = 5). C Oil-red O staining in aortic roots (n = 5). Scale bar = 200 μm. D TUNEL staining in aortic roots (n = 5). Scale bar = 50 μm. E TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels (n = 6). F Diagram for the role of smooth-muscle HuR in atherosclerosis via AMPK-mediated autophagy. HuR indicates human antigen R; AMPK, Adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase.