Desmin prevents muscle wasting, exaggerated weakness and fragility, and fatigue in dystrophic mdx mouse. (1st July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferry, Arnaud; Messéant, Julien; Parlakian, Ara; Lemaitre, Mégane; Roy, Pauline; Delacroix, Clément; Lilienbaum, Alain; Hovhannisyan, Yeranuhi; Furling, Denis; Klein, Arnaud; Li, Zhenlin; Agbulut, Onnik
• Is Part Of: Journal of physiology. Volume 598:Number 17(2020)
• Page Start: 3667
• Page End: 3689
• Publication Date: 2020-07-01
• Subjects: desmin -- mdx mice -- skeletal muscle function; Physiology -- Periodicals; 612.005
• DOI: 10.1113/JP279282
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3751

Abstract

Abstract : Key points: Desmin, similar to dystrophin, is associated with costameric structures bridging sarcomeres to the extracellular matrix. Deletion of the desmin gene in mdx mice [double knockout (DKO) mice] induces marked muscle weakness and fatigue resistance compared to mdx mice. Muscle fragility (higher susceptibility to contraction‐induced injury) was also aggravated in DKO mice compared to mdx mice. By contrast to mdx mice, the DKO mice did not undergo muscle hypertrophy. Desmin cDNA transfer with adeno‐associated virus in newborn mdx mice reduced muscle weakness. Overall, desmin plays important and beneficial roles in muscle wasting, performance and fragility in dystrophic muscle. Abstract: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe neuromuscular disease caused by dystrophin deficiency. Desmin, similar to dystrophin, is associated with costameric structures bridging sarcomeres to the extracellular matrix that contributes to muscle function. In the present study, we attempted to provide further insight into the roles of desmin, for which the expression is increased in the muscle from the mouse mdx DMD model. We show that a deletion of the desmin gene (Des) in mdx mice [double knockout (DKO) mice, mdx:desmin–/–] induces a marked muscle weakness; namely, a reduced absolute maximal force production and increased fatigue compared to that in mdx mice. Fragility (i.e. higher susceptibility to contraction‐induced injury) was also aggravated in DKO mice compared to mdx mice, despite the promotion of supposedly less fragile muscle fibres in DKO mice, and this worsening of fragility was related to a decreased muscle excitability. Moreover, in contrast to mdx mice, the DKO mice did not undergo muscle hypertrophy, as indicated by smaller and fewer fibres, with a reduced percentage of centronucleated fibres, potentially explaining the severe muscle weakness. Notably, Desmin cDNA transfer with adeno‐associated virus in newborn mdx mice improved specific maximal force normalized to muscle weight. Overall, desmin plays important and beneficial roles in muscle wasting, performance and fragility in dystrophic mdx mice, which differ, at least in part, from those observed in healthy muscle. Key points: Desmin, similar to dystrophin, is associated with costameric structures bridging sarcomeres to the extracellular matrix. Deletion of the desmin gene in mdx mice [double knockout (DKO) mice] induces marked muscle weakness and fatigue resistance compared to mdx mice. Muscle fragility (higher susceptibility to contraction‐induced injury) was also aggravated in DKO mice compared to mdx mice. By contrast to mdx mice, the DKO mice did not undergo muscle hypertrophy. Desmin cDNA transfer with adeno‐associated virus in newborn mdx mice reduced muscle weakness. Overall, desmin plays important and beneficial roles in muscle wasting, performance and fragility in dystrophic muscle.