Applied Reserch of Apop protein for the treatment of Atherosclerosis

致细胞凋亡蛋白(APOP)最初发现于模型动物的动脉粥样硬化斑块中。在人类颈动脉粥样硬化中也发现了APOP基因的表达。促进动脉粥样硬化形成的增殖性平滑肌细胞表达APOP，而正常动脉的收缩平滑肌细胞则不表达APOP。这些发现提示APOP在动脉粥样硬化的发生发展中的意义。此外，本研究还建立了APOP基因缺陷小鼠，以揭示APOP基因在体内的功能。

Apoptogenic Protein (Apop) was originally identified in the atherosclerotic plaques of model animals. Apop gene expression was also identified in human atherosclerosis in carotid arteries. Proliferative smooth muscle cells, which contribute to the formation of atherosclerosis, expressed Apop, while contractile smooth muscle cells in normal arteries did not. These findings indicate the implication of Apop in the development of atherosclerosis. Moreover, Apop deficient mouse was generated in this study to reveal the function of Apop gene in vivo.