AAV9SLR-mediated AP-1 hp dONs generation in aortic grafts of mgR/mgR mice following transduction. (A) EGFP immunohistochemistry (magenta) was performed on aortic cryosections from mgR/mgR mice 30 days after ex vivo transduction with AAV9SLR. Positive staining was obtained in CD31 positive endothelial cells (red), as well as in the medial SMCs. (B) Quantification of EGFP vector genome copies among total DNA, confirming successful transduction of aortic grafts (n = 6, ***P < 0.001). (C) Illustrative images showing the formation of RNA AP-1 hp dONs 4 weeks post-transduction of aortic grafts with AAV9SLR, documented by RNA F.I.S.H. Red fluorescence indicates specific hybridization of the molecular beacon to the hairpin RNA target. Nuclei were stained with DAPI (blue). Scale bar represents 25 µm. Data were analysed using Mann–Whitney U-test.