TY - JOUR
T1 - Deletion of integrin-linked kinase from skeletal muscles of mice resembles muscular dystrophy due to α7β1-integrin deficiency
AU - Gheyara, Ania L.
AU - Vallejo-Illarramendi, Ainara
AU - Zang, Keling
AU - Mei, Lin
AU - St-Amaud, Rene
AU - Dedhar, Shoukat
AU - Reichardt, Louis F.
PY - 2007/12
Y1 - 2007/12
N2 - Integrin-linked kinase (Ilk) is a serine/threonine kinase and an adaptor protein that links integrins to the actin cytoskeleton and to a number of signaling pathways involved in integrin action. We hypothesized that Ilk may act as an important effector of integrins in skeletal muscle, where these receptors provide a critical link between the sarcolemma and the extracellular matrix. Using the cre/lox system, we deleted Ilk from skeletal muscles of mice. The resulting mutants developed a progressive muscular dystrophy with multiple degenerating and regenerating muscle fibers, increased central nuclei, and endomysial fibrosis. These defects were widespread but were most severe near myofascial junctions where Ilk mutants showed displacement of focal adhesion-related proteins, including vinculin, paxillin, focal adhesion kinase, dystrophin, and the α7β1D-integrin subunits. Distal ends of mutant muscle fibers appeared irregular, and there was restructuring of the actin cytoskeleton. These findings resemble those seen in humans and mice lacking the α7-integrin subunit and suggest that Ilk may act as a cytoplasmic effector of α7β1-integrin in the pathogenesis of these deficiencies.
AB - Integrin-linked kinase (Ilk) is a serine/threonine kinase and an adaptor protein that links integrins to the actin cytoskeleton and to a number of signaling pathways involved in integrin action. We hypothesized that Ilk may act as an important effector of integrins in skeletal muscle, where these receptors provide a critical link between the sarcolemma and the extracellular matrix. Using the cre/lox system, we deleted Ilk from skeletal muscles of mice. The resulting mutants developed a progressive muscular dystrophy with multiple degenerating and regenerating muscle fibers, increased central nuclei, and endomysial fibrosis. These defects were widespread but were most severe near myofascial junctions where Ilk mutants showed displacement of focal adhesion-related proteins, including vinculin, paxillin, focal adhesion kinase, dystrophin, and the α7β1D-integrin subunits. Distal ends of mutant muscle fibers appeared irregular, and there was restructuring of the actin cytoskeleton. These findings resemble those seen in humans and mice lacking the α7-integrin subunit and suggest that Ilk may act as a cytoplasmic effector of α7β1-integrin in the pathogenesis of these deficiencies.
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U2 - 10.2353/ajpath.2007.070555
DO - 10.2353/ajpath.2007.070555
M3 - Article
C2 - 18055553
AN - SCOPUS:38349004559
SN - 0002-9440
VL - 171
SP - 1966
EP - 1977
JO - American Journal of Pathology
JF - American Journal of Pathology
IS - 6
ER -