Figure 2.

Loss of RARα induces lipid accumulation and inflammation in macrophages. (A–E) Peritoneal macrophages were isolated from Rarα^fl/fl mice or Rarα^Mac-/- mice, and then treated with Ac-LDL (25 mg/mL) for 48 h. The cells were also treated with vehicle, AtRA (2 μM), or AM580 (2 μM). Intracellular lipids (A) and mRNA levels of Abca1 (B), Abcg1 (C), Tnfα (D) or Il1β (E) were determined (n = 4). (F,G) Rarα^fl/fl mice and Rarα^Mac-/- mice were fed a Western diet for 16 weeks. Intracellular lipid (F) and mRNA levels (G) were determined (n = 3). In (A,F,G), unpaired two-tailed Students’ t-test was used for statistical analysis. In B-E, ordinary two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test was used for statistical analysis. All the data are expressed as mean ± SEM. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01.