Fig. 8

Ldlr@Exo^Booster treatment ameliorates atherosclerosis in Ldlr^−/− mice. A Representative aortic arch view of atherosclerotic lesions in Ldlr^−/− mice treated with PBS or indicated exosomes. AA, ascending aorta; BA, brachiocephalic artery; DA, descending aorta; LCCA, left common carotid artery; LSA, left subclavian artery. B Representative images of Oil Red O staining of the aortic roots cross section of Ldlr^−/− mice with indicated treatments. Scale bar = 400 μm. C Representative images of en face Oil Red O staining of the plaques in aortas from Ldlr^−/− mice with indicated treatments. D Percentage of atherosclerotic area in aortic arch region of mice with indicated treatments corresponding to A. E Statistical data of the Oil Red O positive plaque area corresponding to B. F Percentage of the atherosclerotic region corresponding to C. All data are showed as mean \(\pm\) SEM. *p < 0.05 by one-way ANOVA, n = 5. Schematic illustration of the study: In donor cells, the therapeutic exosomes with Ldlr mRNA encapsulated were boosted by Rab4 knockdown and red cell membrane particle supplementation, without any sacrifice on loading efficiency. This strategy could restore Ldlr expression and reverse phenotype in Ldlr ^−/− mice