Elastic lamina defects are an early feature of aortic lesions in the apolipoprotein E knockout mouse

Abstract

The aortae from male apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE-/-) mice were examined by serial section immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy to determine the continuity of the internal elastic lamina (IEL) and its association with developing intimal lesions. While in this model, defects in the elastic laminae have previously been described beneath advanced xanthomatous lesions, this study demonstrates that disruption of the IEL may be a primary factor in the localization and pathogenesis of intimal lesions in the apoE-/- mouse. IEL defects were found beneath early lesions in animals as young as 8 weeks of age. Small defects without associated intimal alteration were also observed. The elastic ..