Fig 1: Knockout of C/EBPβ in VSMCs alleviated hyperlipidemia-induced arterial stiffness. a Statistical result of changes in aPWV, N = 6. b aortic contractile function in vivo, N = 6.c Flow cytometry results of the Control group and the HF (ApoE−/−) group, N = 6. d Modified Russell–Movat Pentachrome stain was used to show murine arterial tissue composition. Black for elastin fibers, yellow for collagen, blue/cyan for proteoglycan, red for collagen fibers, and black/purple for nuclei (representative images), scale bars correspond to 100 μm for low-magnification images and 20 μm for high-magnification views. e Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess protein expression and localization in the murine aortas, blue for nuclei, green for C/EBPβ, and red for CD68 (representative images), scale bars correspond to 100 μm for low-magnification images and 20 μm for high-magnification views. f From left to right, respectively, are statistical results of vascular wall/lumen measured ex vivo, N = 6, statistical results of elastic fibers, N = 6; Statistical results of proteoglycan, N = 6, Statistical results of CD68 fluorescence area, N = 6. ACTA2 + = ACTA2-positive cells, CD68 + = CD68-positive cells, CD68 + /CEBPb + = CD68/C/EBPβ double-positive cells. Control = ApoE−/− mice fed with chow food, HF (ApoE−/−) = ApoE−/− mice fed with a 60% high-fat diet, HF (C/EBPβCKO/ApoE−/−) = ApoE−/−/C/EBPβfl/fl--Taglncre mice fed with a 60% high-fat diet. *p < 0.05 and ***p < 0.001. Segment of aortic arch was obtained for staining