Effect of TLR4 siRNA and PDTC treatment on atherosclerotic lesions in aortic sinuses of CUMS apoE^-/- mice.

Atherosclerotic lesions in aortic sinuses of apoE^-/- mice subjected to CUMS or control for 12 weeks. (A) 6 μm frozen sections of the aortic sinuses were stained for lipid deposition with oil red O (Original magnification × 100). CUMS markedly increased atherosclerosis in aortic sinuses of apoE^-/- mice. (B) Quantification of atherosclerotic lesions in aortic sinuses in apoE^-/- mice. The atherosclerotic lesions in CUMS + siRNA group, and CUMS + PDTC group were significantly lowered than that of CUMS group, respectively. (C) Percentage of atherosclerotic lesion areas in entire aorta in apoE^-/- mice. The lesion area in CUMS + siRNA group, and CUMS + PDTC group were significantly decreased than that of CUMS groups, respectively. The agents (siRNA and PDTC) were given to mice 30 min before the stress exposure. Data are shown as mean ± SEM (n = 15 for each group). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.