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Title: Comparison of skeletal muscle pathology and motor function of dystrophin and utrophin deficient mouse strains. Author: van Putten M, Kumar D, Hulsker M, Hoogaars WM, Plomp JJ, van Opstal A, van Iterson M, Admiraal P, van Ommen GJ, 't Hoen PA, Aartsma-Rus A. Journal: Neuromuscul Disord; 2012 May; 22(5):406-17. PubMed ID: 22284942. Abstract: The genetic defect of mdx mice resembles that of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, although their functional performance and life expectancy is nearly normal. By contrast, mice lacking utrophin and dystrophin (mdx/utrn -/-) are severely affected and die prematurely. Mice with one utrophin allele (mdx/utrn +/-) are more severely affected than mdx mice, but outlive mdx/utrn -/- mice. We subjected mdx/utrn +/+, +/-, -/- and wild type males to a 12week functional test regime of four different functional tests. Mdx/utrn +/+ and +/- mice completed the regime, while mdx/utrn -/- mice died prematurely. Mdx/utrn +/- mice performed significantly worse compared to mdx/utrn +/+ mice in functional tests. Creatine kinase levels, percentage of fibrotic/necrotic tissue, morphology of neuromuscular synapses and expression of biomarker genes were comparable, whereas mdx/utrn +/- and -/- mice had increased levels of regenerating fibers. This makes mdx/utrn +/- mice valuable for testing the benefit of potential therapies on muscle function parameters.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]