Fig. 9: NMVs enhance formation and macrophage content of atherosclerotic plaques in a miR-155-dependent manner.

ApoE^−/− mice fed a Western diet for 6 weeks were injected with NMVs isolated from wild type (WT) or miR-155^−/− mouse neutrophils, or an equivalent volume of saline (control), twice weekly via the tail vein for the final 2 weeks. a Plaque formation and b macrophage content was measured in frozen aortic root sections by Oil Red O and MAC-3 staining respectively and imaged by bright field microscopy. a Representative images of Oil Red O staining from control, wild type NMV and miR-155^−/− NMV injected ApoE^−/− mice are shown. Scale bar = 200 µm. Areas of plaque formation were determined in aortic root sections using NIS-elements analysis software (n = 10). b Representative images of MAC-3 staining from control, wild type NMV and miR-155^−/− NMV injected ApoE^−/− mice are shown. Scale bar = 50 µm. MAC-3 positive staining within plaques was determined using NIS-elements analysis software (n = 10). Data are expressed as a percentage of the mean of the control samples (no NMV) and presented as mean ± SEM. Statistical significance was evaluated using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. NS not statistically significant, *P < 0.05, ***P < 0.001 compared to control. ^###P < 0.001 wild type NMV compared to miR-155^−/− NMV injected mice. All n numbers represent independent animals. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.