Single cell RNA sequencing of aortic CD45+ cells and foam cells from atherosclerotic aorta

In atherosclerosis, several immune cells are involved in plaque formation. Foam cell formation is a major cellular process in atherosclerotic lesion. It is important to understand which cells participate in foam cell formation. To characterize the immune cells and foam cells in atherosclerotic aorta, we performed single cell RNA sequencing of aortic CD45+ leukocytes from Ldlr-/- mice and foamy cells from ApoE-/- mice. The single cell RNA-seq analyses revealed the heterogeneity of aortic macrophages and foam cells in atherosclerotic aorta. Single cell RNA sequencing of aortic CD45+ cells from atherosclerotic Ldlr-/- mice (n=6, WD for 12 wks). 3781 cells identified, Using Illumina HiSeq4000. Single cell RNA sequencing of aortic foam cells from atherosclerotic ApoE-/- mice (n=6, WD for 27 wks), 809 cells identified, Using Illumina HiSeq4000.