Figure 2

iRFP signal is expressed specifically in the plaques of HCD-fed iRFP → LDLR−/− mice. In vivo and ex vivo iRFP signals were identified by the IVIS under 710 nm and 760 nm excitation and emission wavelengths, respectively. The acquired IVIS images were adjusted to 268 (minimum) and 992 (maximum) counts of the color scale by Living Image software. (A) IVIS images of the thoracic area in HCD-fed WT → LDLR^−/−, ND-fed iRFP → LDLR^−/− and HCD-fed iRFP → LDLR^−/−. The thoracic signal (marked by arrows) was observed only in the HCD-fed iRFP → LDLR^−/− mice. (B) The comparison between ex vivo IVIS images and ORO staining of dissected aortas from the HCD-fed WT → LDLR^−/−, ND-fed iRFP → LDLR^−/− fed and HCD-fed iRFP → LDLR^−/− mice. All imaging was performed after 8 weeks of feeding (scale bar, 5 mm). The data are from one representative experiment of at least two independent experiments.