Apolipoprotein E knockout mice: an experimental model to study inflammatory mechanisms of atherosclerosis and to screen a putative anti-atherogenic properties of drugs

作者：Jawien Jacek^*; Olszanecki Rafal; Nowak Bernadeta; Marcinkiewicz Janusz

来源：Central European Journal of Immunology, 2012, 37(1): 36-44.

• atherosclerosis
• apoE-knockout mice
• LDL receptor-knockout mouse
• animal models

Based on the current knowledge it is well ascertained that inflammation backgrounds the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Still, some open questions remain. %26lt;br%26gt;Animal model is an important tool to study atherogenesis. Nowadays, genetically modified mice play a pivotal role. Wild mice are highly resistant to atherosclerosis, whereas %26quot;gene-targeted%26quot; modified mice can spontaneously (even without use of high cholesterol diet) develop atherosclerosis. The best example are apolipoprotein E (apoE)-knockout mice. %26lt;br%26gt;In this review we will discuss usefulness of apoE-knockout mice to study the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic lesions, especially the immune mechanisms of atherogenesis.

• 出版日期2012