Experimental Subjects

Twenty-two male WHHL and 24 male NZW rabbits (2.5–3.0 months old, 1.5–2.0 kg) were obtained from Covance Research Products, Inc. (Denver, PA). Animals were housed in individual cages (6 sq ft) in a room with artificially controlled temperature (22–24 °C) on a 12 h light/dark cycle (lights on at 07:00 h). All experiments and aftercare handling were conducted during the light portion of this cycle. Rabbits were provided 8 ounces of standard rabbit chow (Purina; 2.5% total fat; 0% cholesterol) daily. Water was provided ad libitum. Histological evaluation of aortic tissues from mice and humans was also performed for comparison to rabbits. Four male ApoE^{(−/ −)} mice and four C57Bl/6 mice, 11–12 weeks of age, weighing 22–24 g) were purchased from Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Maine). At 32 weeks of age mice were euthanized by carbon dioxide narcosis. The procedures for the care, use and euthanasia of experimental animals followed the protocols and regulations set forth by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Miami and conformed to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals published by the US National Institutes of Health. De-identified human aortic tissue was obtained from 4 organ donors that consented to provide tissue for research use through the University of Miami Organ Procurement Office, with prior approval from the University of Miami Human Subjects Institutional Review Board and in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration.