Protocol to visualize CD11c+ cells in atherosclerosis using LacZ reporter mice

Here, we describe an in vivo approach to visualize CD11c+ cells in atherosclerosis. In particular, we use a protocol for X-Gal staining of immune cells within atherosclerotic plaques, which can be used as an alternative to analyze plaque composition and cell-specific molecules in atherogenesis. LacZ knockin mice have to be bred to mice carrying the CD11ccre recombinase-both brought onto an ApoE-/- background-to be able to visualize this cell type of interest in the plaques by X-Gal staining. With this approach, different immune cells in atherogenesis can be examined. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Sauter et al. (2021).

Automated summary

In this article, an in vivo approach to visualize CD11c+ cells in atherosclerosis is described. The authors use X-Gal staining to analyze plaque composition and cell-specific molecules as an alternative method. By breeding mice with LacZ knockin and CD11ccre recombinase onto an ApoE-/- background, the interested cell type in the plaques can be visualized by X-Gal staining. This approach allows for the examination of various immune cells in atherogenesis.