Camundongos como modelos de doenças hemostáticas

Abstract

Mice initiated to be used for experimental purposes in laboratories in laboratories in the early 20 th century, simultaneously with the rediscover of Mendel’s Laws. Ever since, they are considered excellent models for genetic studies, as they have high biological similarity with humans -between 70 and 90%-, and have a genome easily handled by means of molecular techniques and breeding procedures. Furthermore, mice have a short gestation period, shorter life cycle in comparison to other animals and easy handling in laboratory facilities. Around the 1990s, genetically modified animals were produced as models for mimicking hemostatic diseases. These genetically modified animals showed hemostatic alterations characteristic of human diseases, as hemophilia A -caused by mutations in coagulation factor VIII-, hemophilia B -caused by mutations in coagulation factor IX- and von Willebrand disease -vWD- caused by mutations in von Willebrand factor-. In this context, the animal models of hemostatic disorders have become important tools for evaluating new treatments and studying rare disease conditions.