Based on the current knowledge it is well ascertained that inflammation backgrounds the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Still, some open questions remain.
Animal model is an important tool to study atherogenesis. Nowadays, genetically modified mice play a pivotal role. Wild mice are highly resistant to atherosclerosis, whereas “gene-targeted” modified mice can spontaneously (even without use of high cholesterol diet) develop atherosclerosis. The best example are apolipoprotein E (apoE)-knockout mice.
In this review we will discuss usefulness of apoE-knockout mice to study the pathogenesis
of atherosclerotic lesions, especially the immune mechanisms of atherogenesis.