Fig. 5.

Ablation of SLN expression prevents cardiomyopathy in mdx:utr ^−/− mice. All cardiac studies are performed in 3–4 month old mice. a Representative H&E and Masson’s trichrome stained ventricular tissue sections. Original magnification is ×10. Scale bar=100 μm. Bar graph indicate that reduction or ablation of SLN significantly reduced fibrosis and necrosis in the mdx:utr ^−/− hearts. The n number for each group and the p values (t-test with Welch’s correction) are shown within the graph. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. b, c Echocardiographic measurements demonstrate that the LV ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) are restored to normal values in the mdx:utr ^−/− :sln ^+/− and tKO mice. ^** p < 0.0001 vs. other groups; n = 6 per group. Data are presented as mean ± SEM (t-test with Welch’s correction)