[Transgenic rats as a model for investigation of the pathogenesis of hypertension]

Several candidate genes for primary hypertension have been discovered in recent years. Genetic analyses have demonstrated that these genes are linked to or associated with hypertension in animal models or man. To study the function of these genes in vivo, transgenic animals have been shown to be very useful models. Transgenic techniques can be applied in many species and most frequently transgenic mice have been used in the past. Since hypertension is not well defined in the mouse, the establishment of transgenic rats has been very helpful for the investigation of hypertension. In addition, characterization of cardiovascular phenotypes can be more easily achieved using physiological and pharmacological methods.