All the mice were females. A, Quantification of pro-inflammatory cytokines in plasma (n=8, 8). B, Real-time quantitative PCR analysis of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-Selectin genes from the RNA isolated from whole aortae (n=6, 6). C, Representative photomicrographs and mac3-positive cells quantification in aortic sinuses (n=10, 11). Scale bar, 500 μm. D, Chemotaxis index for transmigrated bone marrow-derived macrophages (n=7, 7). E, Representative photomicrographs and quantification of collagen deposition (Masson’s Trichrome staining) in aortic sinuses (n=10, 11). Scale bar, 100 μm. F, Fibrous cap (demarcated by the red line) was calculated as the thickness of fibrous tissue overlying the necrotic core (n=6, 6). Results were presented with mean ± SEM. Statistical analysis as indicated in the figure panels.