In line with the FH patients with LDLR gene mutations who have severe hypercholesterolemia in their homozygous form and a moderate hypercholesterolemia in the heterozygous form, LDLR −/− hamsters exhibit a severe form of hypercholesterolemia, while LDLR +/− hamsters exhibit a moderate form. Here, LDLR is linked to familial hypercholesterolemia.