Transgenic models for the study of endothelin function in the cardiovascular system.

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of mortality in our society. The development of a new successful treatment strategy requires a deeper understanding of cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology. This can be achieved by using classical pharmacological and molecular biological approaches as well as by the investigation of specific animal models. In this context novel transgenic methods can be used to dissect pathophysiological factors influencing the development of cardiovascular disease. Because there is direct and indirect evidence for an important role of the endothelin system in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, several transgenic models with gain of function or loss of function strategies have been established for selected components of the endothelin system. This paper summarizes existing models and outlines recent developments in the transgenic field of endothelin research.