Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9880
ISSN: 2155-9880
Jacek Jawien
Associate Professor, Chair of Pharmacology,
Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Grzegorzecka Str. 16, Krakow
Poland
Review Article
Mouse Experimental Models of Atherosclerosis in Pharmacology
Author(s): Jacek JawienJacek Jawien
The mouse has become an excellent model for experimental atherosclerosis research. Until 1992, the diet - induced atherosclerosis mouse model has been used effectively, but the lesions tended to be small and were limited to early fatty-streak stage. This model was also criticized because of the toxicity and inflammatory responses due to the diet. In 1992 the first line of gene targeted animal models, namely apolipoprotein E - knockout mice was developed. Of the genetically engineered models, the apoE - deficient model is the only one that develops extensive atherosclerotic lesions on a chow diet. It is also the model in which the lesions have been characterized most thoroughly. The lesions develop into fibrous plaques; however, there is no evidence that plaque rupture occurs in this model. The LDL receptor - deficient model has elevated LDL levels, but no .. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2155-9880.S1-001