Senescent cells suppress innate vascular smooth muscle cell repair functions

Treatment of LDLr-/- mice with the senolytic ABT263 enhances VSMC phenotypic switching to promote formation, maintenance, and restoration of the fibrous cap in atherosclerotic lesions of all stages. Low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice were fed high-fat diet (TD88137) for 12 weeks and then switched to LFD for 3 weeks prior to sacrifice. On week 1 one of LFD feeding, mice were treated 1xdaily with 100 mg/kg ABT263 by IP injection. Three vehicle-treated and three ABT263-treated replicates are included.