Inflammation disrupted the feedback regulation of the LDL receptor.

<p>LDLr and SREBP-2 protein expression were measured by immunohistochemical staining. The positive areas were stained brown in radial artery cross sections (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0047217#pone-0047217-g003" target="_blank">Fig. 3</a>A I–VI, original magnification ×200). The values of semiquantitative analysis for the positive areas are expressed as the mean ±SD from five patients at each group (n = 14). * <i>P</i><0.05 <i>vs</i> control (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0047217#pone-0047217-g003" target="_blank">Fig. 3</a>B). Correlation analysis of plasma CRP level with LDLr expression (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0047217#pone-0047217-g003" target="_blank">Fig. 3</a>C). The translocation of SCAP from the ER to Golgi was evaluated by immunofluorescent staining. SCAP and Golgi are stained in green and red, respectively. The colocalisation of SCAP with Golgi was evaluated by laser confocal microscopy (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0047217#pone-0047217-g003" target="_blank">Fig. 3</a>D, arrow indicates colocalisation, original magnification ×100). Overlay areas were quantified and expressed as the mean ± SD from five patients at each group (n = 14). * <i>P</i><0.05 <i>vs</i> control (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0047217#pone-0047217-g003" target="_blank">Fig. 3</a>E).