FIGURE 3.

ALK1, a receptor for BMP9, is induced in the aorta and aortic valves of Apoe^−/− mice fed a high fat diet. Apoe^−/− mice were fed regular chow or high fat diet for 6 weeks. Histological sections were prepared from the proximal aorta that included the aortic valves. The sections were stained for activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1; green fluorescence) and von Willebrand factor (vWF; red fluorescence). DAPI was used for visualization of nuclei. The results showed a widespread induction of ALK1 in the thickened valves and aortic wall in the fat-fed Apoe^{− /−} mice, which would allow for enhanced BMP9 osteoinduction.