| Description |
Strain Development
The Apoetm1Unc mutant strain was developed in the laboratory
of Dr. Nobuyo Maeda at The University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. The 129-derived E14Tg2a ES cell line was used.
The plasmid used is designated as pNMC109 and the founder
line is T-89 in the primary reference. The C57BL/6J strain
was produced by backcrossing the Apoetm1Unc mutation 10
times to C57BL/6J mice. Previously mice backcrossed 6 times
(N6) to C57BL/6J mice were distributed solely. Mice from the
N6 generation are homozygous for pink-eyed dilution p giving
them pink eyes and a silver coat color. The E14Tg2a ES cell
line carries this recessive mutation which remains linked to
the targeted Apoe gene on Chromosome 7 at this backcross
generation. Mice from the N6 colony are no longer available
for distribution.
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| Phenotype Description |
Mice homozygous for the Apoetm1Unc mutation show a marked
increase in total plasma cholesterol levels that are
unaffected by age or gender. Fatty streaks in the proximal
aorta are found at three months of age. The lesions increase
with age and progress to lesions with less lipid but more
elongated cells, typical of a more advanced stage of
pre-atherosclerotic lesion.
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