Fig. 7.

Enhanced expression of α7 integrin augments the extracellular matrix and slows matrix turnover in the dy^W−/− mouse. Immunfluorescence was used to evaluate extracellular matrix proteins and associated proteins. Galectin-1 was found to be elevated in both the dy^W−/− and dy^W−/−;itga7+ animals when compared with that in the wild-type. The dy^W−/−;itga7+ animals had the greatest amount of staining for galectin-3 with some staining present in the dy^W−/− animals and none in wild-type controls. Tenascin C was found in areas of inflammation in the dy^W−/− animals, whereas it was located more dispersedly in the dy^W−/−;itga7+ animals (arrows). Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) was highest in the dy^W−/− animals. Overexpression of α7 integrin led to reduced staining for MMP2 in the dy^W−/−;itga7+ animals. Conversely, Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) was found to be elevated by enhanced α7 integrin expression in the dy^W−/−; itga7+ mice compared with both dy^W−/− and wild-type animals. Scale bar: 20 μm.