Transgenic and Gene-Knockout Rodents as Research tools for Cardiovascular Disorders

Abstract

Cardiovascular disorders like hypertension, cerebral stroke, heart failure and thromboembolism account for a high degree of morbidity and mortality all over the World. As the regulation of the cardiovascular system
is complex, the study of cardiovascular disorders has been limited to whole-organism models. The last decade has witnessed an upsurge in transgenic and gene knockout technologies, which have played a major role in the discovery of a particular gene, or its product, implicated in various cardiovascular disorders. Knockout and transgenic animals are likely to become important tools in drug development to determine the physiological sites of action for newly developed pharmacological agents.

The present review will briefly discuss the methods and types of genetically engineered rodents (transgenic and gene knockout models) with alterations in second messenger systems involved in cardiovascular
disorders.