Overview of murine atherosclerosis series.
This volume recognizes the critical and central role of the mouse in experimental atherosclerosis pathology. Atherosclerosis is a complex and chronic inflammation in which multiple modulating factors may play a role. Its chronicity and complexity make it very difficult to study the detailed mechanisms of atherogenesis in unregulated human populations. The search for atherogenic mechanisms requires a model in which these mechanisms simulate those inferred in humans, and in which controlled experiments may be conducted in a reasonable timeframe and at manageable expense. The mouse recommends itself as a small animal model with a short life span in which atherosclerosis similar in character to human atherosclerosis may be induced under controlled conditions. With the development of genetic models of atherosclerosis the mouse has become a very accessible model, especially with the very large genetic data base about this species in relation to human biology that has become available.
Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. getz@bsd.uchicago.edu
Godfrey S
GS
Getz
D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D013045:Species Specificity