STRATEGIES FOR STUDYING CARDIOVASCULAR PHENOTYPES IN GENETICALLY MANIPULATED MICE

Unraveling the pathogenesis of complex cardiovascular diseases, such a s hypertension, requires the development of in vivo animal model syste ms. Although large-animal models have long served as the gold standard , recent advances in transgenic and gene-targeting approaches, mouse g enetics, and microsurgical technology are initiating a revolution that has led to the unexpected coupling of in vivo molecular physiology wi th genetically engineered mice. This article discusses the design of s trategies to study complex cardiovascular phenotypes in genetically mo dified mice, including both transgenic and gene-targeted animals. At t his time, a number of strategies are used to address specific molecula r or physiological questions, and examples are briefly highlighted. In addition, a number of potential problems in the generation and use of transgenic mice in the study of cardiovascular biology are presented.