α7B Integrin changes in mdx mouse muscles after l-arginine administration

Muscle fibers attach to laminin in the basal lamina using two mechanisms, i.e., dystrophin with its associated proteins and α7β1 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 α7B integrin subunit in mdx mouse, a dystrophin-deficient animal model. In the two studied muscles (cardiac muscle and diaphragm), the α7B 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 α7β1 integrin.