Lipoprotein and receptor interactions in vivo.

A substantial number of animal models aimed at the genetic dissection of lipid metabolism have been generated recently. Transgenic and knockout mice, in which the receptors or apolipoproteins are overexpressed or destroyed, combined with virus-mediated gene transfer in vivo have advanced our understanding of the complex physiological and pathophysiological processes involved in lipid metabolism, including hepatic lipoprotein uptake and the formation of atherosclerotic lesions.