Fig. 2

Silencing of HOXA1 reduces weight gain, aortic lesions, and inflammation in HFD-fed ApoE^−/− mice. A In vivo loss-of-function study was performed in AS model (HFD-fed ApoE^−/−) mice by transduction of AAV1-shNC, AAV1-shHOXA1-1 or AAV1-shHOXA1-2 via tail vein. The final wight in 12 weeks after mice receiving HFD feeding was recorded. B Oil red-O staining was performed on entire aortas and the positive regions (plaques) were quantified. C ELISA for TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels in thoracic aortas of mice in each group. D Western blot assay for VCAM1 and MMP2 expression in thoracic aorta. Data are expressed as mean ± SD (6 animals/group). Ordinary one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test was used to calculate the P value in panel A, B and D. Brown-Forsythe and Welch ANOVA followed by Games-Howell's multiple comparisons test was used to calculate the P value in panel C. ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001