Specific loss of Toll-like receptor 2 on bone marrow derived cells decreases atherosclerosis in LDL receptor null mice*The senior author, Stewart C. Whitman, passed away on 19 February 2010. The manuscript has been communicated by Ross W. Milne (e-mail: [e-mail]) and Yves L. Marcel (e-mail: [e-mail]), University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4W7, Canada.

• DOI: 10.1139/y11-071
• Publication Date: 2011-09-23T18:48:30Z
• Authors: Mirela Hasu; Mohamed Thabet; Nancy Tam; Stewart C. Whitman
• Keywords: Male; Mice, Knockout; 0303 health sciences; Lipoproteins; Atherosclerosis; Toll-Like Receptor 2; 3. Good health; Cholesterol, Dietary; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Cholesterol; Receptors, LDL; Animals; Diet, Atherogenic; Female; Aorta; Bone Marrow Transplantation

Innate immunity and, notably, Toll-like receptors (TLR), have an important role in atherogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that selective loss of TLR-2 by cells bone marrow (BM) origin will protect low-density receptor-deficient (Ldlr (-/-)) mice from both early- and late-stage atherosclerosis. BM Tlr2(+/+) Tlr2(-/-) littermates were used to reconstitute lethally irradiated Ldlr(-/-) mice. Following a recovery period, placed either on diet containing 21% saturated fat - 0.15% cholesterol for 8 weeks study early-stage atherosclerosis, or richer (1.5%) 16 Donor cell Tlr2 genotype did not alter serum levels lipoprotein profiles recipient animals. After diet, deficiency expression reduced atherosclerosis aortic root arch genders In contrast, recipients who received 1.5% showed much larger lesions root, failed provide protection. Thus, BM-derived contributes primarily early stage