Acclimation & testing periods
Mice were born, raised, and maintained at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX®, Bar Harbor, ME) - 10 males and 10 females for 10 inbred mouse strains Mice were 10-13 wks of age on the day of sacrifice Food pellets containing standard diet (6% fat, product 5K52 from LabDiets, St. Louis, MO) given ad libitum to control group; experimental group were fed an atherogenic high-fat diet (30% Kcal from dairy fat) containing by weight 1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid to increase cholesterol uptake. Acidified (pH 2.8-3.1) water was give ad libitum Same-sex mice were housed <5 per pen in duplex polycarbonate cages (31x31x214cm) equipped with pressurized individually ventilated mouse racks (Thoren Caging Systems Inc.) with HEPA filtered air supply and exhaust. 21-23°C ambient temperature ~50% Steam autoclaved white pine shavings were used as bedding, and cages were changed every 2 wk. 10:14 (room A) or 12:12 (room B) light:dark cycle Colonies were regularly monitored for viruses, bacterial species, ecto- and endo- parasites. All animal protocols were approved by the Jackson Laboratory Animal Care and Use Committee. Mouse handling and care complied with the Public Health Service animal welfare policy. 9 of the 12 strains were housed in clean animal rooms, which were found to be free of 15 viruses, 17 bacterial species (including Helicobacter spp., Pasteurella pneumotropica, and two Mycoplasma spp.), ecto- and endoparasites, and the microsporidium, Encephalitozoon cuniculi. CAST/EiJ, PERA/Ei, and I/LnJ were maintained in an animal room known to harbor Helicobacter spp., P. pneumotropica, and Klebsiella spp. (other than K. pneumoniae).