Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease primarily produced in the liver but expressed in other tissues, including the intestine, heart, and neurons. The N-terminal domain of the PCSK9 protein is responsible for protein localization and stability, while the C-terminal domain is responsible for protein enzymatic activity ^[1]. The Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is a receptor that is responsible for clearing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from the blood. PCSK9 cleaves the intracellular domain of LDLR on the cell surface, causing it to detach from the cell membrane and be transported to the lysosome for degradation, promoting LDLR degradation, and increasing plasma LDL-C. Overexpression or gain-of-function mutations of the PCSK9 gene can lead to LDL-C accumulation by reducing LDLR levels. This can cause hypercholesterolemia, which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease ^[2]. PCSK9 has become an important target for the development of lipid-lowering drugs. Several PCSK9-targeted antibodies or small nucleic acid drugs have been approved for marketing worldwide, including evolocumab from Amgen, alirocumab from Sanofi and Regeneron, and inclisiran from Novartis. These drugs primarily work by inhibiting PCSK9 activity or preventing PCSK9 protein from binding to LDLR, lowering LDL-C levels in the blood to treat hypercholesterolemia ^[3-4]. In addition, PCSK9 can promote tumor growth and development by regulating cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. It can also regulate the expression of inflammatory factors that contribute to inflammation. Therefore, targeting the expression of PCSK9 has been investigated in tumor immunotherapy and autoimmune disease therapy ^[5-6]. huPCSK9 mice is a humanized model generated by gene editing technology to replace the mouse Pcsk9 gene with the human PCSK9 gene sequence. These mice express human PCSK9 protein and can be used for research on various metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, tumor development, autoimmune disease mechanisms, and for the preclinical pharmacological evaluation of PCSK9-targeted drugs. In addition, Cyagen has developed a similar model, the B6-hPCSK9(CDS) mouse (PCSK9 coding sequence humanized model, Catalog Number: C001593). Compared to the huPCSK9 mouse model, the B6-hPCSK9(CDS) mouse expresses higher levels of human PCSK9 and exhibits LDLR protein expression closer to physiological levels. It is recommended to choose the appropriate model based on the type of drug or research direction.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease primarily produced in the liver but expressed in other tissues, including the intestine, heart, and neurons. The N-terminal domain of the PCSK9 protein is responsible for protein localization and stability, while the C-terminal domain is responsible for protein enzymatic activity ^[1]. The Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is a receptor that is responsible for clearing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from the blood. PCSK9 cleaves the intracellular domain of LDLR on the cell surface, causing it to detach from the cell membrane and be transported to the lysosome for degradation, promoting LDLR degradation, and increasing plasma LDL-C. Overexpression or gain-of-function mutations of the PCSK9 gene can lead to LDL-C accumulation by reducing LDLR levels. This can cause hypercholesterolemia, which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease ^[2]. PCSK9 has become an important target for the development of lipid-lowering drugs. Several PCSK9-targeted antibodies or small nucleic acid drugs have been approved for marketing worldwide, including evolocumab from Amgen, alirocumab from Sanofi and Regeneron, and inclisiran from Novartis. These drugs primarily work by inhibiting PCSK9 activity or preventing PCSK9 protein from binding to LDLR, lowering LDL-C levels in the blood to treat hypercholesterolemia ^[3-4]. In addition, PCSK9 can promote tumor growth and development by regulating cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. It can also regulate the expression of inflammatory factors that contribute to inflammation. Therefore, targeting the expression of PCSK9 has been investigated in tumor immunotherapy and autoimmune disease therapy ^[5-6]. B6-hPCSK9(CDS) mice are generated by integrating the human PCSK9 protein coding sequence (CDS) and 3' untranslated region (UTR) into the mouse Pcsk9 gene locus using gene editing techniques, resulting in a model expressing human PCSK9 protein while disrupting the expression of the mouse endogenous Pcsk9 gene. These mice can be used to study various metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, tumor development, and autoimmune diseases, as well as for the development, screening, and preclinical pharmacological evaluation of PCSK9-targeted drugs. Compared to the similar B6-hPCSK9 mice (PCSK9 genomic humanized model, Catalog Number: C001617), B6-hPCSK9(CDS) mice have higher levels of human PCSK9 protein expression in serum, while LDLR expression is closer to the normal endogenous levels in mice.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease primarily produced by the liver and also expressed in the intestine, heart, pancreas, renal interstitial cells, and neurons. The N-terminal domain of the PCSK9 protein is responsible for protein localization and stability, while the C-terminal domain mediates enzymatic activity ^[1]. PCSK9 is closely involved in the regulation of circulating cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) clears low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from the blood. PCSK9 binds to and cleaves the intracellular domain of cell-surface LDLR, promoting its shedding from the plasma membrane and subsequent trafficking to lysosomes for degradation, thereby elevating plasma LDL-C levels. Overexpression of the PCSK9 gene or gain-of-function mutations reduce LDLR levels, leading to LDL-C accumulation, hypercholesterolemia, and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, as well as stroke and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) ^[2]. Inhibin βE subunit (INHBE) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily and is highly specifically expressed in hepatocytes. After proteolytic processing of the INHBE precursor, the inhibin β subunit is generated and participates in multiple cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, immune responses, and hormone secretion. During the development of obesity and diabetes, INHBE protein expression can suppress the proliferation and growth of relevant cells in the pancreas and liver. Studies have shown that hepatic INHBE expression is positively correlated with insulin resistance and body mass index (BMI) in humans, suggesting that INHBE may act as a hepatic factor that alters systemic metabolic status under conditions of obesity-associated insulin resistance ^[3]. In addition, rare loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in INHBE may protect the liver from inflammation, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) by promoting healthy fat storage. Carriers of such mutations exhibit more normal fat distribution, markedly reduced abdominal fat, favorable metabolic profiles, and significantly lower risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2D) ^[4-6]. These findings indicate that INHBE is a liver-specific negative regulator of fat storage, and that inhibition of INHBE gene and protein expression may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for metabolic diseases associated with improper fat distribution and storage. huPCSK9/huINHBE mice are dual-gene humanized models generated by crossing huPCSK9 mice (Catalog No.: C001617) with huINHBE mice (Catalog No.: C001533). These models can be used for screening, pharmacodynamic evaluation, safety assessment, and mechanism-of-action studies of dual-target drugs against PCSK9/INHBE, providing an ideal preclinical research platform for the development of innovative therapies for lipid metabolism disorder-related metabolic diseases, including hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, obesity, and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease primarily produced in the liver but expressed in other tissues, including the intestine, heart, and neurons. The N-terminal domain of the PCSK9 protein is responsible for protein localization and stability, while the C-terminal domain is responsible for protein enzymatic activity ^[1]. The Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is a receptor that is responsible for clearing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from the blood. PCSK9 cleaves the intracellular domain of LDLR on the cell surface, causing it to detach from the cell membrane and be transported to the lysosome for degradation, promoting LDLR degradation, and increasing plasma LDL-C. Overexpression or gain-of-function mutations of the PCSK9 gene can lead to LDL-C accumulation by reducing LDLR levels. This can cause hypercholesterolemia, which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease ^[2]. PCSK9 has become an important target for the development of lipid-lowering drugs. Several PCSK9-targeted antibodies or small nucleic acid drugs have been approved for marketing worldwide, including evolocumab from Amgen, alirocumab from Sanofi and Regeneron, and inclisiran from Novartis. These drugs primarily work by inhibiting PCSK9 activity or preventing PCSK9 protein from binding to LDLR, lowering LDL-C levels in the blood to treat hypercholesterolemia ^[3-4]. In addition, PCSK9 can promote tumor growth and development by regulating cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. It can also regulate the expression of inflammatory factors that contribute to inflammation. Therefore, targeting the expression of PCSK9 has been investigated in tumor immunotherapy and autoimmune disease therapy ^[5-6]. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a lipid particle-associated polymorphic carrier protein encoded by the APOE gene. It is a core component of plasma lipoproteins, participating in the production, transport, and clearance of lipoproteins. ApoE is associated with chylomicrons, chylomicron remnants, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), especially showing preferential binding to HDL ^[7]. ApoE is the most important lipid transport protein in the body, having a profound impact on lipid metabolism. The interaction of ApoE with the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is essential for the normal processing (catabolism) of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins ^[8]. In peripheral tissues, ApoE is primarily produced by the liver and macrophages and mediates cholesterol metabolism. In the central nervous system, ApoE is produced mainly by astrocytes and is the major cholesterol carrier in the brain. ApoE is essential for transporting cholesterol from astrocytes to neurons ^[7-10]. In addition, ApoE forms a complex with activated C1q, becoming a checkpoint inhibitor target of the classical complement pathway ^[11]. Polymorphisms of the APOE are associated with Alzheimer's disease and lipid accumulation, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, high cholesterolemia, etc., and are related to the risk of various cardiovascular diseases. The B6-hPCSK9/Apoe KO mice are obtained by crossing B6-hPCSK9 mice (Catalog No.: C001617) with B6J-Apoe KO mice (Catalog No.: C001507). B6J-Apoe KO mice exhibit elevated cholesterol levels and spontaneous atherosclerosis phenotypes due to the disruption of ApoE protein synthesis, further exacerbated under a high-fat diet (HFD). On the other hand, B6-hPCSK9 mice have the mouse Pcsk9 gene sequence replaced with the human PCSK9 gene sequence through gene editing technology, expressing the human PCSK9 protein. They can be used for the development of PCSK9-targeted drugs in hyperlipidemia, stroke, coronary heart disease, and other atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). The B6-hPCSK9/Apoe KO mice, while expressing the human PCSK9 protein, exhibit significantly elevated cholesterol levels and spontaneous atherosclerosis characteristics. These mice provide an ideal platform for the PCSK9-targeted drug development in hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases, demonstrating good clinical and pathological relevance.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease primarily produced in the liver but expressed in other tissues, including the intestine, heart, and neurons. The N-terminal domain of the PCSK9 protein is responsible for protein localization and stability, while the C-terminal domain is responsible for protein enzymatic activity ^[1]. The Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is a receptor that is responsible for clearing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from the blood. PCSK9 cleaves the intracellular domain of LDLR on the cell surface, causing it to detach from the cell membrane and be transported to the lysosome for degradation, promoting LDLR degradation, and increasing plasma LDL-C. Overexpression or gain-of-function mutations of the PCSK9 gene can lead to LDL-C accumulation by reducing LDLR levels. This can cause hypercholesterolemia, which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease ^[2]. PCSK9 has become an important target for the development of lipid-lowering drugs. Several PCSK9-targeted antibodies or small nucleic acid drugs have been approved for marketing worldwide, including evolocumab from Amgen, alirocumab from Sanofi and Regeneron, and inclisiran from Novartis. These drugs primarily work by inhibiting PCSK9 activity or preventing PCSK9 protein from binding to LDLR, lowering LDL-C levels in the blood to treat hypercholesterolemia ^[3-4]. In addition, PCSK9 can promote tumor growth and development by regulating cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. It can also regulate the expression of inflammatory factors that contribute to inflammation. Therefore, targeting the expression of PCSK9 has been investigated in tumor immunotherapy and autoimmune disease therapy ^[5-6]. Apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC-III), encoded by the APOC3 gene, is a 79-amino acid glycoprotein primarily synthesized in the liver, with minor production in the intestine. ApoC-III is a key component of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), including chylomicrons and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Its primary functions include inhibiting lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-mediated hydrolysis of triglycerides within TRLs and modulating hepatic uptake of TRL remnants, thereby elevating plasma triglyceride levels. Consequently, ApoC-III is crucial in regulating plasma triglyceride levels ^[7-8]. Elevated APOC3 expression leads to increased ApoC-III levels, which is associated with hypertriglyceridemia (a risk factor for cardiovascular disease) and conditions such as familial hypertriglyceridemia, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, targeting the reduction of APOC3 expression or blocking its protein function offers a therapeutic avenue for hypertriglyceridemia and mitigating cardiovascular disease risk ^[9]. B6-hPCSK9/TG-hAPOC3 mice are humanized models generated by crossing B6-hPCSK9 mice (Catalog No.: C001617) with TG-hAPOC3 mice (Catalog No.: C001588), enabling systemic expression of human PCSK9 and ApoC-Ⅲ proteins. This model is suitable for developing drugs targeting human APOC3/PCSK9, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) and antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), for treating hypertriglyceridemia and other metabolic disorders, as well as for research on neurodegenerative diseases, tumorigenesis, and autoimmune diseases.

Lipoprotein A (LPA) is a type of particle similar to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) that is considered one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, etc ^[1]. LP(a) is similar in size and lipid content to LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and also contains the lipoprotein ApoB-100. However, unlike LDL, LP(a) additionally contains a variable-length lipoprotein called Apo(a), which covalently binds to ApoB-100 through a single disulfide bond. LP(a) plays an important role in systemic lipid transport, guiding inflammatory cells into blood vessel walls and leading to smooth muscle cell proliferation. Furthermore, it is involved in wound healing and tissue repair, interacting with the components of blood vessel walls and the extracellular matrix ^[2]. However, LP(a) can also cause arterial narrowing by adhering to the arterial wall, accelerating the formation of blood clots, and thereby triggering a series of pathological changes related to coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, thrombus formation, and stroke ^[3]. The plasma concentration of LP(a) is closely related to genetic factors and is primarily regulated by the LPA gene. Therefore, the LPA gene is an important potential target for cardiovascular disease treatment. The LPA gene encodes a serine protease that inhibits the activity of tissue-type plasminogen activator I. Fragments of this protein, generated through protein hydrolysis, can adhere to atherosclerotic lesions in arteries, promoting blood clot formation. The LPA gene is expressed in both humans and non-human primates but is not expressed in mice. Constructing mouse models expressing the human LPA gene is of significant importance for developing lipid-lowering drugs, which can drive the development of novel therapies for cardiovascular diseases. Currently, various novel therapies targeting the transcription rate of the LPA gene are under development, including small interfering RNA (siRNA) and antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) ^[4]. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease primarily produced in the liver but expressed in other tissues, including the intestine, heart, and neurons. The N-terminal domain of the PCSK9 protein is responsible for protein localization and stability, while the C-terminal domain is responsible for protein enzymatic activity ^[5]. The Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is a receptor that is responsible for clearing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from the blood. PCSK9 cleaves the intracellular domain of LDLR on the cell surface, causing it to detach from the cell membrane and be transported to the lysosome for degradation, promoting LDLR degradation, and increasing plasma LDL-C. Overexpression or gain-of-function mutations of the PCSK9 gene can lead to LDL-C accumulation by reducing LDLR levels. This can cause hypercholesterolemia, which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease ^[6]. PCSK9 has emerged as a key target for the development of lipid-lowering drugs. Several PCSK9-targeted antibodies or small nucleic acid drugs have been approved for marketing worldwide, including evolocumab from Amgen, alirocumab from Sanofi and Regeneron, and inclisiran from Novartis. These drugs primarily work by inhibiting PCSK9 activity or preventing PCSK9 protein from binding to LDLR, lowering LDL-C levels in the blood to treat hypercholesterolemia ^[7-8]. In addition, PCSK9 can promote tumor growth and development by regulating cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. It can also regulate the expression of inflammatory factors that contribute to inflammation. Therefore, targeting the expression of PCSK9 has been investigated in tumor immunotherapy and autoimmune disease therapy ^[9-10]. The B6-hLPA (CKI)/Alb-cre/hPCSK9 mouse model is generated by crossing B6-hLPA (CKI) mice (Catalog No.: C001521, a mouse strain with conditional expression of the human LPA gene), Alb-Cre mice (liver-specific Cre-expressing mice), and B6-hPCSK9 mice (Catalog No.: C001617). This model harbors two cardiovascular disease risk factors, namely Lp (a) (lipoprotein (a)) and PCSK9, making it suitable for research on hyperlipidemia, stroke, coronary heart disease, and other atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD).