Studies of lipoprotein (a) and high density lipoproteins in transgenic mice.

The many genetic components contributing to atherosclerosis in humans have been difficult to untangle, due in part to the lack of genetically defined model systems. To investigate the in vivo properties of two particularly puzzling human lipoproteins, lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), we have engineered mice to produce human-like analogues in their plasma. In these studies, we have examined the effect that protein composition has on the antiatherogenic properties of HDL and the interaction of human apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) and human apolipoprotein B (apo B) in forming Lp(a).