Table 2. Transgenic rabbits for the study of human cardiovascular diseases.
| Genes | Expressing cells | Major phenotypes | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apolipoproteins: | |||
| Apo(a) | Liver | Atherogenic | 33–37 |
| ApoA-I | Liver | Athero-protective | 38, 39 |
| ApoA-II | Liver | Athero-protective | 40, 41 |
| ApoB-100 | Liver | LD ↑, HDL ↓ | 42 |
| ApoCIII | Liver | VLDL ↑ | 43 |
| ApoE2 | Liver | Atherogenic | 44 |
| ApoE3 | Liver | Atherogenic | 45, 46 |
| Enzymes: | |||
| Hepatic lipase | Liver | Athero-protective | 47 |
| apoB mRNA editing protein | Liver | LDL ↓ | 48 |
| LCAT | Liver | Athero-protective | 49, 50 |
| Lipoprotein lipase | Universal | Athero-protective | 51 |
| PLTP | Universal | Atherogenic | 52 |
| Endothelial lipase | Liver | Athero-protective | 53 |
| Vascular factors: | |||
| Lipoprotein lipase | Macrophage | Atherogenic | 54 |
| MMP-12 | Macrophage | Atherogenic | 20, 55 |
| C-reactive protein | Liver | Thrombogenic | 24, 56 |
| 15-lypooxygenase | Macrophage | Athero-protective | 57 |
| VEGF | Liver | hemangiomas and impaired glomerular functions | 58, 59 |
ND: not done. LCAT, lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase; PLTP, phospholipid transfer protein; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; VEGF, vascular endothelial cell growth factor.