Rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque: does a good animal model exist?

P. Cullen*, R. Baetta, S. Bellosta, F. Bernini, G. Chinetti, A. Cignarella, A. von Eckardstein, A. Exley, M. Goddard, M.H. Hofker, E. Hurt-Camejo, E. Kanters, P. Kovanen, S. Lorkowski, W. McPheat, M. Pentikainen, J. Rauterberg, A. Ritchie, B. Staels, B. WeitkampM.P.J. de Winther, Consortium MAFAPS

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque: does a good animal model exist?

Cullen P, Baetta R, Bellosta S, Bernini F, Chinetti G, Cignarella A, von Eckardstein A, Exley A, Goddard M, Hofker M, Hurt-Camejo E, Kanters E, Kovanen P, Lorkowski S, McPheat W, Pentikainen M, Rauterberg J, Ritchie A, Staels B, Weitkamp B, de Winther M; MAFAPS Consortium.

Institute of Arteriosclerosis Research, Domagkstrasse 3, D-48149 Muenster, Germany. [email protected]

By its very nature, rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque is difficult to study directly in humans. A good animal model would help us not only to understand how rupture occurs but also to design and test treatments to prevent it from happening. However, several difficulties surround existing models of plaque rupture, including the need for radical interventions to produce the rupture, lack of direct evidence of rupture per se, and absence of convincing evidence of platelet- and fibrin-rich thrombus at the rupture site. At the present time, attention should therefore focus on the processes of plaque breakdown and thrombus formation in humans, whereas the use of animal models should probably be reserved for studying the function of particular genes and for investigating isolated features of plaques, such as the relationship between cap thickness and plaque stability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)535-542
Number of pages7
JournalArteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology
Volume23
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2003

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque: does a good animal model exist?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this