Force transmission, compliance, and viscoelasticity are altered in the α7-integrin-null mouse diaphragm

α7β1 integrin is a transmembrane structural and receptor protein of skeletal muscles, and the absence of α7-integrin causes muscular dystrophy. We hypothesized that the absence of α7-integrin alters compliance and viscoelasticity and disrupts the mechanical coupling between passive transverse and axial contractile elements in the diaphragm. In vivo the diaphragm is loaded with pressure, and therefore axial and transverse length-tension relationships are important in assessing its function. We determined diaphragm passive length-tension relationships and the viscoelastic properties of its muscle in 1-month-old α7-integrin-null mice and age-matched controls. Furthermore, we measured the isometric contractile properties of the diaphragm from mutant and normal mice in the absence and presence of passive force applied in the transverse direction to fibers in 1-month-old and 5-month-old mutant mice. We found that compared with controls, the diaphragm direction of α7-integrin-null mutants showed 1) a significant...