alpha7B integrin changes in mdx mouse muscles after L-arginine administration

FEBS Lett. 2005 Feb 14;579(5):1079-84. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2004.12.081.

Abstract

Muscle fibers attach to laminin in the basal lamina using two mechanisms, i.e., dystrophin with its associated proteins and alpha7beta1 integrin. In humans, gene-mutation defects in one member of these complexes result in muscular dystrophies. This study revealed changes after L-arginine treatment of utrophin-associated proteins and the alpha7B integrin subunit in mdx mouse, a dystrophin-deficient animal model. In the two studied muscles (cardiac muscle and diaphragm), the alpha7B integrin subunit was increased in 5-week-old treated mice. Interestingly, the diaphragm histopathological appearance was significantly improved by L-arginine administration. These results highlight a possible way to compensate for dystrophin deficiency via alpha7beta1 integrin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arginine / administration & dosage
  • Arginine / pharmacology*
  • Diaphragm / drug effects
  • Diaphragm / metabolism
  • Dystrophin / deficiency*
  • Dystrophin / metabolism*
  • Heart / drug effects
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Integrins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred mdx
  • Muscles / drug effects*
  • Muscles / metabolism*
  • Muscles / pathology
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Utrophin / metabolism

Substances

  • Dystrophin
  • Integrins
  • Utrophin
  • Arginine
  • integrin alpha7beta1