Novel Rat Models for Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Mouse models have been widely used in atherosclerosis research and related therapy development. However, data suggested that it was difficult to translate discovery in mice to human. Thanks to the fast development and optimization in gene editing technology, atherosclerotic models in rats generated recently provide more options for different studies and could make a difference to the situation which is exclusively dependent on mouse. Here we reviewed novel rat models for atherosclerosis generated through genetic approaches in recent years, including Ldl receptor (Ldlr) and apolipoprotein e (Apoe) knockout rats. The phenotypes in hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, as well as related inflammatory responses, were compared. These models developed typical atherosclerosis. More importantly, some of them present certain advantages over mouse models. These not only provide novel options for animal models of atherosclerosis, but also will benefit future investigations of atherosclerotic pathology and anti-atherosclerotic therapeutics.