Fig. 6: Loss of CAR reduces the size of the cardiac lesion post-MI and improves scar formation.

a Representative trichrome staining of WT and KO heart sections 30 days post-infarction. Infarct width (b) and length (c) as well as collagen deposition (d) in the infarcted area were reduced in KO mice (n = 6, Student’s t test). e The left ventricular diameter in diastole (LVD) was only increased in the WT samples after MI. WT sham. f The HW to BW ratio indicates hypertrophy in WT animals. g The ejection fraction (EF) was significantly reduced in WT mice post-MI compared to sham control mice. h Stroke volume (SV) after infarction was significantly increased in WT mice compared to KO mice, which remained at control levels. Statistical significance was calculated using two-way ANOVA, *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001. WT sham n = 3–8 per group.