Insights from transgenic mice studies on plaque vulnerability

1. Abstract 2. Defining plaque vulnerability 3. Use of transgenic mice to study plaque vulnerability 3.1. Models 3.2. Methodological considerations 3.2.1. Bone marrow reconstitution 3.2.2. Assessment of lesion development 3.2.3. Genetic background 3.2.4. Mouse models and human end stage disease 4. Lessons learned from genetically-engineered mice 4.1. Manipulation of apoptosis 4.1.1. Apoptosis in initial lesions 4.1.2. Apoptosis in advanced lesions 4.2. Manipulation of lesional lipid uptake 4.2.1. Scavenger receptors 4.2.2. ABC transporter family 4.3. Manipulation of inflammatory activity 4.3.1. CCR-5 4.3.2. TNF 4.3.3. IFN-γ 4.3.4. Macrophage subsets 4.3.5. NKT and dendritic cells 4.3.6. Mast cells 4.4. Manipulation of matrix remodeling (protease activation) and calcification 4.4.1. Matrix metalloproteinases 4.4.2. Cathepsins 4.4.3. Calcification 4.5. Manipulation of lesional hemorrhage and coagulation factors 4.5.1. Intraplaque hemorrhage and angiogenesis 4.5.2. Coagulation factors 5. Conclusions 6. Acknowledgements 7. References