title: Lesion progression and plaque composition are not altered in older apoE-/- mice lacking tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor p55.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory processes are an integral component of the initiation, progression, and destabilization of atherosclerotic lesions. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is considered a primary mediator of inflammatory processes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The role of TNF-alpha in plaque progression and plaque destabilization was investigated in the innominate arteries of older TNF-alpha receptor p55 deficient mice that were generated on a hyperlipidemic apolipoprotein E deficient background (p55-/- apoE-/-). There were no significant differences in levels of circulating cytokines, plaque progression, plaque composition or features of plaque destabilization in p55-/- apoE-/- compared to wild type (p55+/+ apoE-/-) mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Progression and destabilization of advanced atherosclerotic lesions does not seem to be mediated via the TNF-alpha receptor p55.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, University of Washington, P.O. Box 353410, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blessing
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bea
authors.forename: Cho-chou
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Lee Ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chesebro
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha