Figure 3

Hematopoietic deletion of CARD9, decreased plasma MCP-1 levels, tended to decrease macrophage content but does not altered the distribution of M1/M2 markers in the plaque. After 10 weeks of Western-type diet (WTD) feeding, hearts were collected from Ldlr^−/− mice transplanted with BM from control (WT), Dectin-2^−/− or Card9^−/− and aortic roots were analyzed by Immunohistochemistry. (A) Macrophage area was measured by MAC3 staining, (B) quantified in 4 sections and (C) average was calculated. T-cells were determined by CD3 staining, (D) counted in 4 sections and (E) average was calculated (F). M1 and M2 macrophages were determined by (G) iNos and (J) Arginase staining and (H) quantified in 12 sections and presented as ratio between M1/M2 marker. (I) RT-qPCR was used to quantify the expression of markers for M1 and M2 macrophages. (K) Plasma levels of monocyte attractant protein 1 (MCP-1) were measured at the beginning (T = 0) of WTD feeding and at the end of the study (T = 10). (K). Representative pictures for the staining are shown with  sclae bars representing 100 µm. Data for atherosclerotic plaque composition are presented as mean ± SEM. n = 13–14/group. Plasma MCP-1 levels. n = 7–11/group, *p < 0.05.