Silence of NLRP3 Suppresses Atherosclerosis and Stabilizes Plaques in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice
Figure 2
Cross sections of aortic root vessels from the control and gene interference groups were stained with H&E; vascular smooth muscle cells and collagen were immunostained with α-actin and Sirius red, respectively; and macrophages and lipids were stained with MOMA-2 and oil red O, respectively (a). The mean cap thickness was increased after the NLRP3 silencing, compared with the control (b). Number of macrophages in the atherosclerotic lesion area was significantly lower by nearly 22% and lipid content was 33% lower with NLRP3 lentivirus than control transfection (c and d). SMCs content was higher by 39% and collagen content was 46% higher with NLRP3 lentivirus than control transfection (e and f). The vulnerability index was significantly lower in NLRP3i group than control (g). versus control. Values are mean ± SD. Scale bar is 100 m.
