Narin Osman
Australia
Research Article
Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells from ApoE(-/-) Mice Secrete Biglycan with Hyperelongated Glycosaminoglycan Chains
Author(s): Narin Osman, Robel Getachew and Peter J LittleNarin Osman, Robel Getachew and Peter J Little
Atherosclerosis is the major underlying process of cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis commences with an initial pre-inflammatory phase of the trapping and accumulation of lipids in the vessel wall and this is followed by an inflammatory response. The trapping of lipids occurs via binding to proteoglycans, specifically biglycan, with hyperelongated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains. Models have been developed to study the aetiology as well as the effectiveness of medical and experimental interventions in preventing atherosclerosis. ApoE is an apolipoprotein associated with removal of lipids from peripheral tissues. Disruption of the ApoE gene in C57BL/6 mice produces mice which are ApoE-/- (ApoE deficient) and show elevated plasma lipids and accelerated development of atherosclerosis which is exacerbated on a high fat diet. These mice are widely used in studies .. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2161-1459.1000125