Smooth Muscle Cell Notch2 Is Not Required for Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation in ApoE Null Mice.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

We previously identified Notch2 in smooth muscle cells (SMC) in human atherosclerosis and found that signaling via Notch2 suppressed human SMC proliferation. Thus, we tested whether loss of Notch2 in SMC would alter atherosclerotic plaque progression using a mouse model.

Methods

Atherogenesis was examined at the brachiocephalic artery and aortic root in a vascular SMC null (inducible smooth muscle myosin heavy chain Cre) Notch2 strain on the ApoE-/- background. We measured plaque morphology and size, as well as lipid, inflammation, and smooth muscle actin content after Western diet.

Results

We generated an inducible SMC Notch2 null on the ApoE-/- background. We observed ∼90% recombination efficiency with no detectable Notch2 in the SMC. Loss of SMC Notch2

SUBMITTER: Davis-Knowlton J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9588530 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature