Lack of Ability to Present Antigens on Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Molecules Aggravates Atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- Mice
BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemic mice lacking factors required for activation of CD4+ T cells are characterized by reduced development of atherosclerosis. Consequently, it has been assumed that atherosclerosis involves loss of tolerance against modified self-antigens generated in response to hypercholesterolemia and that presentation of such antigens on major histocompatibility complex class II (M