title: Genetic basis of atherosclerosis: insights from mice and humans.
abstract: Atherosclerosis is a complex and heritable disease involving multiple cell types and the interactions of many different molecular pathways. The genetic and molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis have, in part, been elucidated by mouse models; at least 100 different genes have been shown to influence atherosclerosis in mice. Importantly, unbiased genome-wide association studies have recently identified a number of novel loci robustly associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Here, we review the genetic data elucidated from mouse models of atherosclerosis, as well as significant associations for human coronary artery disease. Furthermore, we discuss in greater detail some of these novel human coronary artery disease loci. The combination of mouse and human genetics has the potential to identify and validate novel genes that influence atherosclerosis, some of which may be candidates for new therapeutic approaches.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 654 BRBII/III Labs, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104-6160, USA.
authors.forename: Ioannis M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Stylianou
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Muredach P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Rader
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D040941:Heredity; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype