Comparative Proteomic Profiling of the Spleen from the mdx-4cv Mouse Model of Dystrophinopathy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a multi-system disorder that is primarily characterized by progressive muscle wasting due to deficiency in the membrane cytoskeletal protein dystrophin, but is also associated with body-wide cellular disturbances in a variety of non-muscle tissues. In this study, we have focused on the comparative proteomic analysis of the spleen and established considerable changes in this crucial secondary lymphoid organ from the genetic mdx-4cv mouse model of dystrophinopathy. An apparent short isoform of dystrophin and associated glycoproteins were identified in spleen by mass spectrometry, but appear not be affected in muscular dystrophy. In contrast, the mdx-4cv spleen showed significant proteome-wide changes in other protein species that are involved in metabolism, signalling and cellular architecture. Since the spleen plays a key role in the immune response, these proteomic alterations may reflect pathophysiological crosstalk between the lymphoid system and dystrophic muscles, which are affected by both fibre degeneration and inflammation.