1. Fig. 5. Loss of SMC-specific COL15A1 resulted in overall reductions in the number of YFP+ SMC-derived cells within the lesions but an increase in YFP−galectin 3 (LGALS3)+ macrophage cells. A: representative immunofluorescence images of BCA sections of SMC YFP+/+ Col15a1wt/wt, Apoe−/− (n = 11) and SMC YFP+/+ Col15a1Δ/Δ, Apoe−/− (n = 13) mice showing a marked decrease in overall cell number, a decrease in YFP+/DAPI+ cells, and an increase in YFP−LGALS3+/DAPI+ cells within lesions of SMC YFP+/+ Col15a1Δ/Δ, Apoe−/− mice. Scale bars = 100 µm. B: quantification of cell number per lesion stained positive for DAPI, YFP, LGALS3, or smooth muscle α-actin (ACTA2) averaged across four locations of the BCA. C: quantification of percentage of SMCs (YFP) and non-SMC-derived macrophages (YFP−LGALS3+) over total number of cells (DAPI+) within lesions averaged across four separate locations of the BCA. D: quantification of cell density of the lesion by examining cell number normalized to lesion area (μm2). Given that SMC YFP+/+ Col15a1Δ/Δ, Apoe−/− have more acellular, necrotic core regions in their lesions as compared with that of SMC YFP+/+ Col15a1Δ/Δ, Apoe−/− mice, we also quantified cell density of the lesion (E) by examining cell number normalized to the lesion area (μm2) with the necrotic core regions excluded. Values represent means ± SE. P values were determined by an unpaired, two tailed t-test. ^P value was determined by a Mann-Whitney U-test.
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