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Leukocyte adhesion molecules in atherogenesis.
M I Cybulsky1, A H Lichtman, L Hajra
1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, The Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, ON, Canada. myron.cybulsky@utoronto.ca
Summary
This study reviews mouse models for atherosclerosis research, highlighting a new diet for LDLR-/- mice that promotes hypercholesterolemia and lesion development. It also examines leukocyte adhesion molecules in atherosclerosis models.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Immunology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Atherosclerosis involves mononuclear leukocytes and endothelial cell adhesion molecules.
- Transgenic mouse models like ApoE knockout and LDLR-/- mice are crucial for studying cholesterol metabolism and lesion formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing transgenic mouse models for atherosclerosis research.
- To describe a new, reproducible, and cost-effective semi-purified diet for LDLR-/- mice.
- To analyze leukocyte adhesion molecule expression in atherosclerosis models and compare it to human data.
Main Methods:
- Review of apolipoprotein E knockout and low density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR-/-) mouse models.
- Description of a new semi-purified, cholate-free mouse diet for LDLR-/- mice.
- Analysis of leukocyte adhesion molecule expression in rabbit and mouse atherosclerosis models.
Main Results:
- The new cholate-free diet for LDLR-/- mice is versatile, inexpensive, and effectively promotes hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic lesion development.
- Expression patterns of leukocyte adhesion molecules in mouse and rabbit models are described and compared to humans.
- Ongoing studies using transgenic mice to assess individual adhesion molecule roles are summarized.
Conclusions:
- Transgenic mouse models, particularly with optimized diets, are essential for understanding atherosclerosis.
- Leukocyte adhesion molecules play a significant role in the development of atherosclerotic lesions.
- Further research using these models will elucidate the specific functions of individual adhesion molecules in atherosclerosis.