IKK Epsilon Deficiency Attenuates Angiotensin II-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation in Mice by Inhibiting Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis

Figure 2

IKKε deficiency protected from Ang II-induced AAA formation in Apoe^−/− mice. (a) Representative images of whole aortas from Apoe^−/− versus Apoe^−/−IKKε^−/− mice were treated with Ang II or saline for 4 weeks. The bar graph shows the incidences of abdominal aortic aneurysm AAA incidence, , respectively. (b) The systolic blood pressure, , respectively. (c) The total cholesterol levels from plasma, , respectively. NS indicates no significance. (d) Classification severity of aortic aneurysm, mice per group. vs. Apoe^−/−IKKε^−/− mice. (e) Representative images of aortas’ ultrasound. The bar graph shows the maximal diameter of the abdominal aorta, , respectively. (f) Kaplan-Meier survival curve in Apoe^−/− versus Apoe^−/−IKKε^−/− mice following 4 weeks of Ang II infusion. (g) Representative HE staining of the aortic wall in Apoe^−/− versus Apoe^−/−IKKε^−/− mice following 4 weeks of saline or Ang II infusion. (h) Representative EVG staining of the aortic wall in Apoe^−/− versus Apoe^−/−IKKε^−/− mice following 4 weeks of saline or Ang II infusion. Quantification is shown in the right panel, , respectively. vs. Apoe^−/−IKKε^−/− mice.

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