Atherosclerosis and leukocyte–endothelial adhesive interactions are increased following acute myocardial infarction in apolipoprotein E deficient mice

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of myocardial infarction (MI) on progression of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE−/−) mice.Methods and resultsMI was induced following left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation in wild-type (WT) (n = 9) and ApoE−/− (n = 25) mice. Compared to sham-operated animals, MI mice demonstrated increased intravascular leukocyte rolling and firm adhesion by intravital microscopy, reflecting enhanced systemic leukocyte–endothelial interactions. To determine if MI was associated with accelerated atherogenesis, LAD ligation was performed in ApoE−/− mice. Six weeks following surgery, atherosclerosis was quantitated throughout the arterial tree by microdissection and Oil-Red-O staining. There was 1.6-fold greater atherosclerotic burden present in ApoE−/− MI mice compared to sham-operated mice.ConclusionsAcute MI accelerates atherogenesis in mice. These results may be related to the increased risk of recurrent ischemic coronary events following MI in humans.