biostudies-literatureZigmond ZMBLRD VANIDDK NIH HHSNHLBI NIH HHSAmerican Heart Association IncNIH133-140https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8096668biostudies-literatureUnknown324<h4>Background and aims</h4>Increased receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activity has been historically linked to atherosclerosis. Paradoxically, we recently found that global deficiency in c-Kit function increased atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic mice. This study aimed to investigate if such unusual atheroprotective phenotype depends upon c-Kit's function in smooth muscle cells (SMC).<h4>Methods</h4>We studied atherosclerosis in a SMC-specific conditional knockout mice (Kit^SMC) and control littermate. Tamoxifen (TAM) and vehicle treated mice were fed high fat diet for 16 weeks before atherosclerosis assessment in the whole aorta using oil red staining. Smooth muscle cells were traced within the aortic sinus of conditional c-Kit tracing mice (Kit^SMC eYFP) and their contrAtherosclerosisc-Kit expression in smooth muscle cells reduces atherosclerosis burden in hyperlipidemic mice.PMC8096668R01 HL125672R01 DK121227K01 HL145359K08 HL151747I01 BX004658Song LVazquez-Padron RIMartinez LZigmond ZMVelazquez OCLassance-Soares RMfalsec-Kit expression in smooth muscle cells reduces atherosclerosis burden in hyperlipidemic mice.<h4>Background and aims</h4>Increased receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activity has been historically linked to atherosclerosis. Paradoxically, we recently found that global deficiency in c-Kit function increased atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic mice. This study aimed to investigate if such unusual atheroprotective phenotype depends upon c-Kit's function in smooth muscle cells (SMC).<h4>Methods</h4>We studied atherosclerosis in a SMC-specific conditional knockout mice (Kit^SMC) and control littermate. Tamoxifen (TAM) and vehicle treated mice were fed high fat diet for 16 weeks before atherosclerosis assessment in the whole aorta using oil red staining. Smooth muscle cells were traced within the aortic sinus of conditional c-Kit tracing mice (Kit^SMC eYFP) and their contr2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 May2025-04-04T10:17:11.491Z2025-04-04T10:17:11.491ZS-EPMC80966683378156610.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.03.004