Custom Animal Models of Atherosclerosis
Inquiry
Atherosclerosis is associated with an increased risk of acute cardiovascular events such as coronary heart disease
and cerebral infarction, and the study of atherosclerosis is of great significance to the development of preventive
and therapeutic methods for cardiovascular diseases. Ace Therapeutics has rich experience
of constructing animal models of atherosclerosis, and is able to provide clients with genetically-modified, high-fat
diet-induced, and surgically-induced atherosclerosis animal models.
The Importance of Animal Models of Atherosclerosis
Disorders of lipid metabolism are the pathologic basis for the development of atherosclerotic lesions. It is
characterized by the accumulation of lipids and complex sugars starting in the intima of the diseased arteries,
usually followed by fibrous tissue proliferation and calcium deposits, leading to thickening and hardening of the
arterial wall and narrowing of the vessel lumen. Due to the complexity and long-term nature of atherosclerosis,
animal models that mimic human disease have been relied upon as a means of conducting research related to
atherosclerotic. Various types of animal models of atherosclerosis have been introduced in recent years, which are
widely used in the study of the pathogenesis and the development of novel therapeutic approaches to atherosclerosis.
Fig. 1 Main characteristics of
non-mouse animal models of atherosclerosis. (Kamato D, et al., 2022)
Our Services
Ace Therapeutics offers development services for a variety of animal models of atherosclerotic
diseases, including but not limited to:
Genetic Manipulation
High-Fat Diet
LPS-induced
Partial Carotid Ligation
Balloon Injury
Genetically Manipulated Models of Atherosclerosis
- Overview
The development of atherosclerosis is closely related to the regulation of gene expression.
Therefore, we can
induce the spontaneous formation of atherosclerosis in animals by knocking out or knocking down
relevant genes
that regulate lipid metabolism.
- Available Animal Species and Strains
Apo E-/-, LDLr-/-, Apo E/LDL receptor double-knockout mice.
- Animal Model Validation
After 12-16 weeks of normal dietary rearing, we will examine the transgenic animal models
pathologically.
Modeling is considered successful if foam cells, lipid streaks, and atherosclerotic plaques are
found in the
aortic arch.
High-Fat Diet Induced Models of Atherosclerosis
- Overview
We offer animal models of atherosclerosis induced by high-fat and high-cholesterol diets (1%-3%
cholesterol,
8%-10% lard, 0.2% propylthiouracil, 0.5% sodium cholate, 5% white sugar, 81.3%-85.3% regular
feed). A high-fat
diet is the most direct way to induce atherosclerosis in experimental animal models, which can
better mimic
real-life atherosclerotic disease.
- Available Animal Species and Strains
Knockout mice (Apo E-/-, LDLr-/-), transgenic mice (ApoA1, ApoA5), rats (SD rats, Wistar rats),
rabbits (New
Zealand white rabbit, Japanese white rabbit), pigs (Obbassaw mini-pig, Rapacz pig).
- Animal Model Validation
After 12-16 weeks on the high-fat and high-cholesterol diets, we will pathologically examine the
animal models
for the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta or coronary arteries, and consider the
modeling
successful if present.
LPS-induced Animal Models of Atherosclerosis
- Overview
We can establish animal models of atherosclerosis by injecting LPS intravenously, causing
systemic inflammation
and endothelial cell damage in experimental animals, and combining it with a high-fat diet.
- Available Animal Species and Strains
Rats (SD rats, Wistar rats), rabbits (New Zealand white rabbit, Japanese white rabbit).
- Animal Model Validation
After injection of LPS and feeding with a high-fat diet for 6-10 weeks, the animals will be
tested for lipids
and observed for the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta, and the model will be
considered
successful if atherosclerotic plaques are present.
Modeling Atherosclerosis by Partial Carotid Ligation
- Overview
We can ligate part of the carotid arteries of experimental animals through surgery to block the
normal blood
supply of the arterial vasculature, which leads to local vascular ischemia and hypoxia resulting
in endothelial
damage, and then promotes the emergence of atherosclerotic lesions.
- Available Animal Species and Strains
Rats (SD rats, Wistar rats), rabbits (New Zealand white rabbit, Japanese white rabbit).
- Animal Model Validation
After surgical manipulation of the carotid arteries, experimental animals will be fed a high-fat
diet for 6-10
weeks. The carotid arteries are examined for intima-media thickening and foam cell aggregation,
and for the
formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the blood vessels to determine the success of the
modeling.
Modeling Atherosclerosis by Balloon Injury Method
- Overview
For some large experimental animals, we can use the balloon injury method, where a balloon of a
certain diameter
is inserted into the arterial vasculature. Then, by inflating the balloon and dragging it
repeatedly through the
arterial vessels, we can cause damage to the endothelial cells of the arterial vessels, inducing
endothelial
detachment and triggering atherosclerotic lesions.
- Available Animal Species and Strains
Rabbits (New Zealand white rabbit, Japanese white rabbit), pigs (Obbassaw mini-pig, Rapacz pig).
- Animal Model Validation
After the experimental animals have been operated on and fed a high-fat diet for 6-10 weeks, we
will perform a
pathologic examination of the injured part of the aorta. If atherosclerotic plaques are found,
then the animal
model has been successfully established.
Ace Therapeutics has extensive experience in the development of custom animal models of
atherosclerosis. We are able to construct animal models of atherosclerosis using a variety of methods according to
our clients' custom needs. Additionally, our animal models can be used for preclinical pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic studies of atherosclerosis. If you are interested in our animal modeling services or have
other customized needs, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Reference
- Kamato, D.; et al. Non-mouse models of atherosclerosis: approaches to exploring the translational
potential of new therapies. Int J Mol Sci, 2022, 23(21): 12964.
! All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be intended for any clinical use.
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