Vα14Jα18 mRNA in the atherosclerotic lesions. Expression of Vα14Jα18 mRNA in the atherosclerotic lesion was examined using RT-PCR. A sample from WT spleen was used as a positive control, and a sample from Jα18^-/- spleen was used as a negative control. Note that Vα14Jα18 expression is detected only in the atherosclerotic tissues of apoE^-/- mice (on the chow diet) and in WT mice on the AD. Representative result from 3 separate experiments is shown.