The Apoe(-/-) mouse model: a suitable model to study cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in the context of cigarette smoke exposure and harm reduction

  • J Transl Med. 2016 May 20;14(1):146. doi: 10.1186/s12967-016-0901-1.
Giuseppe Lo Sasso  1 ,  Walter K Schlage  2 ,  Stéphanie Boué  3 ,  Emilija Veljkovic  1 ,  Manuel C Peitsch  1 ,  Julia Hoeng  1
Affiliations
  • 1. Philip Morris International R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A. (Part of Philip Morris International Group of Companies), Quai Jeanrenaud 5, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
  • 2. , Max-Baermann-Str.21, 51429, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.
  • 3. Philip Morris International R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A. (Part of Philip Morris International Group of Companies), Quai Jeanrenaud 5, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. [email protected].
PMID: 27207171 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-0901-1
Abstract

Atherosclerosis-prone Apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice display poor lipoprotein clearance with subsequent accumulation of Cholesterol ester-enriched particles in the blood, which promote the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, the apoE(-/-) mouse model is well established for the study of human atherosclerosis. The systemic proinflammatory status of apoE(-/-) mice also makes them good candidates for studying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, characterized by pulmonary inflammation, airway obstruction, and emphysema, and which shares several risk factors with cardiovascular diseases, including smoking. Herein, we review the results from published studies using apoE(-/-) mice, with a particular focus on work conducted in the context of cigarette smoke inhalation studies. The findings from these studies highlight the suitability of this animal model for researching the effects of cigarette smoking on atherosclerosis and emphysema.

Keywords
Apoe; Atherosclerosis; COPD; Cigarette smoke; Emphysema; Lipoprotein; Mouse model; Tobacco heating system.