Figure 3

MMP 9 localization in plaques from E^−/− × IL-10^−/− (A) and E^−/− × IL-10^+/+ (B) mice. Original magnification ×200; c, core; f, fibrous cap; m, media; s, shoulder region. Note MMP 9 accumulates in the shoulder regions in E^−/− × IL-10^−/− and not in E^−/− × IL-10^+/+ mice. Quantification was performed by computer-assisted morphometry. Plaques were divided into 3 portions as indicated in the insert (s, shoulder). The optical density within shoulder regions and the optical density within the total surface area of the plaque were computed.