Transcriptional profiling during regression of aortic atherosclerotic lesions in <i>Ldlr^−/−Apob</i>^100/100<i>Mttp</i>^flox/flox and <i>Ldlr^−/−Apob</i>^100/100<i>Mttp</i>^Δ/Δ mice over time.

<p>Differential expression analyses was used to define sets of genes causally and reactively related to atherosclerosis regression in <i>Ldlr^−/−Apob</i>^100/100<i>Mttp</i>^Δ/Δ mice. RNA for the transcriptional profiling was isolated from the atherosclerotic aortic arch. Narrow and bold arrows indicate times of PCL and sacrifice, respectively. Colored horizontal lines indicate time frame of transcriptional profiles used for differential expression analysis to define gene sets. Colors indicate when PCL was started: green, 30 weeks; yellow, 40 weeks; red, 50 weeks. (A) To define the PCL-responsive gene sets, we compared transcriptional profiles (4–6 per time point) of PBS-treated, high-cholesterol littermate controls sacrificed at 30, 40 and 50 weeks with those immediately after PCL. (B) To define the regression-reactive gene sets, we compared transcriptional profiles (3–6 per time point) immediately after PCL with those at 10 weeks after PCL (10 per time point).