Figure 2: Increased aorta macrophage proliferation in mice exposed to CIH.

(A) The percentage of macrophages among cells isolated from aorta was significantly higher in CIH-exposed mice than in RA controls, and in CIH-exposed mice after 6 weeks of recovery (IHR) when compared to normoxic time controls (RAR). (B) The number of aorta macrophages expressing Ki67 (a marker of macrophage proliferation) was significantly higher in CIH-exposed mice and in IHR mice compared to corresponding controls. (C) The count of RFP-derived macrophages was significantly increased in CIH-exposed mice and in IHR mice compared to corresponding controls. (D) Confocal microscopy analysis of aorta macrophages in CIH-exposed mice and RA controls. Cells were stained with DAPI (blue fluorescence), and with antibodies against VCAM1 (green fluorescence) and MAC2 (red fluorescence). ***p < 0.04 vs. corresponding control; n = 6/experimental group.