Accelerated miniature swine models of advanced atherosclerosis: A review based on morphology.

• Gene editing and intramural injection are new methods to accelerate AS model. • D374Y-PCSK9 GOF, LDLR-KO and ApoE-KO are methods applied in gene editing. • Intramural injection includes microinjecting compound LDL and inflammation factors. • There are differences between balloon injury–induced lesions and AS. • High cost, time consumption and heterogeneity are common problems. In order to accelerate development of atherosclerosis(AS) in miniature swine models, varieties of strategies and methods have been explored. In addition to traditional methods such as high cholesterol feeding and balloon injury, new methods such as familial hypercholesterolemia induced by gene editing and intramural injection have been applied in recent years. Although it has been claimed that these methods have successfully aggravated lesion areas and stenosis, lesion features induced by different strategies have shown heterogeneity in morphology. In addition, time consumption, high cost, and unavailability are problems that restrict application of these AS models. Here, we summarize strategies and methods to accelerate AS models and further analyze their values, advantages, and shortcomings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]