NEW INSIGHTS INTO ATHEROSCLEROSIS FROM STUDIES WITH MOUSE MODELS

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the large arteries that is the cause o f heart disease and stroke. It is a highly complex disorder with multi ple genetic and environmental influences. The mouse model has proved v ery useful for studying atherosclerosis because genetic analysis and p lanned genetic modification are feasible in this organism. In this bri ef review, some recent findings are summarized and future prospects us ing mouse models to study atherosclerosis-related traits are discussed .