[Value of transgenic mouse as model for the study of human lipoprotein metabolism]

Lipoprotein transport genes have been used to make either transgenic or knockout mice with altered lipoprotein levels and metabolism. These models have provided information in at least three major issues. First, transgenic mice allow to study gene expression regulation. This approach has been helpful in identifying tissue specific expression of two clusters of apolipoprotein genes apo E/CI/CII and apo AI/CIII/AIV. Another example is the identification of a cis-acting region controlling transcription of the CETP gene in response to diet. Second, transgenic mice model provides relevant insights into lipoprotein metabolism: the structural role of human apo AII, the effect of apo AI on HDL subfractions distribution, the contribution of apo CIII to hypertriglyceridemia, and by contrast of apo E in the clearance of atherogenic TG rich lipoproteins, the role of CETP in the balance of LDL and HDL concentration and distribution. Finally, certain strains of mice under specific conditions of diet develop atherosclerotic lesions which have been shown to be reduced in human apo AI transgenic animals. However, the best mouse model for further investigation of human atherosclerosis seems to be apo E knockout mice.