Fig. 2.

Role of lateral force transmission in membrane stability and integrity. A: dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) and integrins act like rivets and ties that couple the intracellular matrix to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and prevent shear stress from damaging the sarcolemma. B: loss of these complexes in muscular dystrophies weakens the connection between the intracellular and extracellular matrices, rendering individual fibers more susceptible to damage from shear. Therefore, loss in lateral force transmission appears to lead toward sarcolemma damage and membrane disruption.