The use of animals lacking genes or expressing genes under the control of cell-specific promoters has signifi cantly increased our knowledge of the genetic and molecular basis of physiopathology,allowing testing of fu...The use of animals lacking genes or expressing genes under the control of cell-specific promoters has signifi cantly increased our knowledge of the genetic and molecular basis of physiopathology,allowing testing of functional hypotheses and validation of biochemical and pharmacologic approaches in order to understand cell function.However,with unexpected frequency,gene knockout animals and,more commonly,animal models of transgenesis give experimental support to even opposite conclusions on gene function.Here we summarize what we learned on the role of cyclooxygenase 2(COX-2) in liver and revise the results obtained in 3 independent models of mice expressing a COX-2 transgene specifi cally in the hepatocyte.Upon challenge with pro-inflammatory stimuli,the animals behave very differently,some transgenic models having a protective effect but others enhancing the injury.In addition,one transgene exerts differential effects on normal liver physiology depending on the transgenic animal model used.展开更多
基金Supported by Grant BFU2008-02161SAF2007-60551 from MICINN+2 种基金S-BIO-0283/2006 from Comunidad de MadridFIS-RECAVA RD06/0014/0025RECAVA and CIBERehd are funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos Ⅲ
文摘The use of animals lacking genes or expressing genes under the control of cell-specific promoters has signifi cantly increased our knowledge of the genetic and molecular basis of physiopathology,allowing testing of functional hypotheses and validation of biochemical and pharmacologic approaches in order to understand cell function.However,with unexpected frequency,gene knockout animals and,more commonly,animal models of transgenesis give experimental support to even opposite conclusions on gene function.Here we summarize what we learned on the role of cyclooxygenase 2(COX-2) in liver and revise the results obtained in 3 independent models of mice expressing a COX-2 transgene specifi cally in the hepatocyte.Upon challenge with pro-inflammatory stimuli,the animals behave very differently,some transgenic models having a protective effect but others enhancing the injury.In addition,one transgene exerts differential effects on normal liver physiology depending on the transgenic animal model used.
