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Cardiac physiology in transgenic mice
J F James1, T E Hewett, J Robbins
1Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039, USA.
Circulation Research
|March 20, 1998
Summary
Researchers are developing advanced mouse models to study cardiovascular diseases. New physiological techniques are crucial for accurately assessing cardiac function in these small animals, aiding disease research.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Genetics
- Physiology
Background:
- Genetic engineering techniques like gene targeting and transgenesis allow for precise modifications of genes influencing mammalian cardiovascular function.
- These genetically modified mice serve as valuable models for studying cardiac hypertrophy and cardiomyopathies.
- Research is primarily conducted in mice due to technical and economic feasibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current technological capabilities for assessing murine cardiac function.
- To highlight the challenges and necessity of adapting cardiovascular physiological methodologies for mouse models.
- To enable a comprehensive understanding of cardiovascular disease phenotypes at the organ and organism levels.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing cardiovascular physiological methodologies.
- Adaptation of techniques for the small mouse heart and rapid cardiac cycle.
- Integration of efforts from molecular biology, physiology, and cardiology.
Main Results:
- Genetic modification provides essential mouse models for cardiovascular diseases.
- Significant challenges exist in applying traditional physiological methods to mice.
- Technological advancements are enabling reproducible data acquisition on murine cardiac function.
Conclusions:
- Developing and validating mouse models is critical for cardiovascular research.
- Adapting physiological techniques for mice is imperative for fully characterizing disease models.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is key to advancing the study of cardiac function in mice.