Serum and expression levels in atheromatous plaque of VEGF-A and VEGF-C in apoE-deficient mice.
A. Quantification of the lesion size in the proximal aortas of apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice fed normal chow (NC, n = 3) or a high-fat-diet (HFD, n = 3). The ratio of the atherosclerotic area to the total area was significantly greater in HFD than NC mice. B. Quantification of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in NC and HFD mice. The expression of VEGF-C, but not VEGF-A, was significantly intensified by feeding HFD compared to NC. C–F. Representative microscopic views (x400) of the expression of VEGF-A in the aortic sinus of apoE-deficient mice fed NC (C) or a HFD (D), and those of VEGF-C in NC (E) or HFD (F) mice. The red arrows indicate VEGF-A- or VEGF-C-positive cells. G and H. Serum levels of VEGF-A (G) and VEGF-C (H) in apoE-deficient mice fed a HFD or NC for 16 weeks. The data are means ± SD.