The Role of Galectin-1 in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Disease Progression

Abstract

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene and affects 1 out of 5,000 male children (Heller et al.). Patients who are diagnosed with this life-threatening disease usually suffer from respiratory failure due to irreversible effects on the diaphragm resulting in premature death. Mdx mice have the same dysfunctional dystrophin gene as patients and are the standard mouse model used for DMD. No cure for this devastating disease exists. The Burkin Lab at the University of Nevada, Reno has shown that mdx mice treated with recombinant Galectin-1 protein exhibit improved skeletal muscle viability and pathology. However, the mechanisms of these improvements have yet to be elucidated. This study has provided evidence that Galectin-1 plays a role in the mechanism and pathology of DMD for potential uses as a protein treatment therapy in patients afflicted with the disease.