CB₂ receptor deficiency does not influence atherosclerosis in mice.

<p>A and B, CB₂^+/+/LDLR^−/− (N = 13) and CB₂^−/−/LDLR^−/− (N = 12) mice consumed HCD for 16 weeks and underwent analysis of intimal lesion area in the aortic root (A) and arch (B). Pooled data ± SEM are shown on the left; representative images stained for lipid deposition (Oil-red-O) are displayed below the corresponding graph. C, The abdominal aortas of mice treated as described above underwent <i>en face</i> analysis of the lipid deposition. Oil-red-O-positive staining in relation to total wall area was quantified and is dispayed as pooled data ± SEM (N = 13 and 12); representative images are shown below. D, Sections of aortic roots of mice treated as described above were analyzed for lipid-, macrophage-, collagen-, T cell-, smooth muscle cell- and apoptotic cell content. Oil-red-O-, Mac-3-, picosirius red-, CD4-, α-actin- and TUNEL-positive staining in relation to total wall area is described as mean ± SEM (N = 13 and 12). Asterisks indicate a significant change, defined as p<0,05.