Induction of Atherosclerotic Plaques Through Activation of Mineralocorticoid Receptors in Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice

Summary

We describe a protocol to induce atherosclerosis in the aortic root of ApoE^-/- mice fed with an atherogenic diet, through a continuous release of aldosterone. Methods to characterize plaque composition are also described.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is due to a chronic inflammatory response affecting vascular endothelium and is promoted by several factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. To date, there is evidence to support a role for circulating aldosterone as a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Transgenic mouse models have been generated to study cellular and molecular processes leading to atherosclerosis. In this manuscript, we describe a protocol that takes advantage of continuous infusion of aldosterone in ApoE^-/- mice and generates atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic root after 4 weeks of treatment. We, therefore, illustrate a method for quantification and characterization of atherosclerotic lesions at the aortic root level. The added value of aldosterone infusion is represented by the generation of atherosclerotic lesions rich in lipid and inflammatory cells after 4 weeks of treatment. We describe in detail the staining procedures to quantify lipid and macrophage content within the plaque. Notably, in this protocol, we perform heart tissue-embedding in OCT in order to preserve the antigenicity of cardiac tissue and facilitate detectability of antigens of interest. Analysis of the plaque phenotype represents a valid approach to study the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis development and to identify novel pharmacological targets for the development of anti-atherogenic drugs.

Introduction

Atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide¹. It is characterized by a chronic inflammatory state where blood vessels are infiltrated by lipids and leukocytes that determine the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. The majority of acute cardiac events are associated with thrombotic events due to plaque rupture. Plaques prone to rupture are defined "vulnerable" and are characterized by increased infiltration of pro-inflammatory leukocytes, a necrotic core, and a thin fibrous cap². In the last decades, clinical and experimental studies have clarified the complex pathophysiology o....

Protocol

The study was approved by the Italian National Institutes of Health Care and Use Committees, authorization number 493/2016-PR. All procedures were conducted per the guidelines of the European Community for the use of experimental animals (European Directive, 2010/63/UE).

Note: Subcutaneous implantation of osmotic minipump containing vehicle (ethanol in saline solution) or aldosterone (240 µg · kg^-1 · d^-1) in 8-10 week-old male mice deficient for the ApoE gene. In general, 8-10 week-old male ApoE^−/− mice weigh around 25-26 g.

1. Dissolving Aldoster....

Results

In 8-10 weeks Apo^-/- mice, minipumps were implanted to infuse with vehicle or aldosterone (Figure 1E-1I) and fed an atherogenic diet (adjusted calories diet 42% from fat) for 4 weeks. At the end of treatment, mice were euthanized and perfused with PBS and 10% formalin as described above. The aortic root was separated from the apical portion of the heart and was embedded in OCT (Figure 2). Cross section.......

Discussion

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder associated with large and medium vessels involving interactions between multiple cell types, such as macrophages, T-lymphocytes, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells¹. Despite the limitations of murine atherogenic models, a large body of evidence on the atherosclerotic process is available. These models have the advantage of rapidly generating experimental cohorts of a specific age and gender. Mice also show a defined and homogeneous genetic .......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Adjusted calories diet (42 % from fat)	Envigo	TD.88137	atherogenic diet
Osmotic minipump with filling tube	Alzet	model 1004	for continous realase
Aldosterone	SIGMA	A9477	hormone
Ethanol	SIGMA	34852-M	solvent
Alchol Preps saturated with 70 % Isopropyl Alcohol	Kendal Webcol	6818	Disinfectant
Surgery wire (Vicryl 6.0)	Demas	500004	surgery
10% Povidone/iodine ointment	Aplicare-Meriden	52380-0026-1	Antiseptic
Formalin 10%	SIGMA	HT5012	to fix vascolature
Cryomold	Bio-Optica	07-MP1515	for embedding
O.C.T. Compound	Sakura Finetek	4583	for embedding
Cryostat	Leica	CM1900	instrument for sectioning
Dulbecco's Phosphat Buffered Saline	Aurogene	AU-L0615-500	buffer solution
Adhesion Slides Polysine	VWR	631-0107	microscope glasses
Cover Glasses	Bio-Optica	72015	cover glasses
Formaldehyde 37%	SIGMA	252549	solvent
Oil Red O solution (0.5 % in isopropanol)	SIGMA	O1391	staining solution
Mayer’s Hematoxylin	SIGMA	MHS32	staining solution
Lithium Carbonate	SIGMA	62470	washing buffer
Acqueous Mounting Medium	Thermo Scientific	TA-125-AM	mounting solution
Acetone	SIGMA	179124	solvent
Phosphomolybdic acid solution	SIGMA	HT153	for hystology
Direct Red 80 (Picrosirius Red)	SIGMA	365548	staining solution
Bio Clear (clearing agent of terpene origin)	Bio-Optica	06-1782D	product for the preparation of histological samples
Eukitt Quick Hardening mounting medium (Poly(butyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate)	SIGMA	3989	mounting solution
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate	Fluka	71725	powder
Hydrogen Peroxide solution (30 %)	SIGMA	H1009	solution
Vectorstain ABC KIT including: anti-rabbit IgG ABC, normal rabbit serum, Secondary-biotinylated Anti-Rat IgG ,	Vector Laboratories	PK-6100	staining solution
3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole	Vector Laboratories	SK-4200	staining solution
Mac3 antibody	BD Biosciences	553322	antibody
ImagePro Premier 9	Media Cybernetics	050910000-2534	software to analyze images