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Figure 2 Reduced Neovascularization and Plaque Hemorrhage Upon In Vivo Expression of CD31Rg

Masson's trichrome staining and double immunohistochemistry for CD31 (MEC 13.3) and endothelia (lectin BSI) on comparable brachiocephalic plaques. Representative micrographs showing blunted neovascularization and intraplaque hemorrhage in CD31Rg-treated mice (3 of 14 mice, 21%, p < 0.05, chi-square test) as compared to CD31Rg 1-2 (6 of 14 mice 42%) and PBS (9 of 14 mice, 64%) control mice. Intraplaque fibrin deposition (red, MT column, black arrows) localizes at areas of rich neovascularization as detected by FITC-lectin BSI staining of endothelial cells within the plaques (green, BSI column, white arrows). Of note, most of the intraplaque neovessels were negative for CD31 (red, MEC13.3 column) as showed by the merge of fluorescent images (MERGE + DAPI column). Original magnification 100x. Abbreviations as in Figure 1.