NON-HUMAN PDGF-B-DEFICIENT TRANSGENIC ANIMALS WITH REDUCED OR NON-EXISTENT NUMBERS OF PERICYTES

摘要

Transgenic animals, preferably mice, having a phenotype characterized by the absence of pericytes, otherwise naturally present in the animal, are disclosed. In particular, the transgenic mouse carries a disruption of a gene encoding PDGF-B such that levels of PDGF-B are at a reduced or non-existent level. The disruption of the gene causes a loss in the number of pericytes, which, in turn, results in damage to the microvessels of the animal. The results suggest that the animal may be used as a model for studying diabetic vascular disease and other vascular related diseases.