| First Author | Wede OK | Year | 2002 |
| Journal | J Physiol | Volume | 540 |
| Issue | Pt 3 | Pages | 941-9 |
| PubMed ID | 11986381 | Mgi Jnum | J:105988 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3617106 | Doi | 10.1113/jphysiol.2001.014910 |
| Citation | Wede OK, et al. (2002) Mechanical function of intermediate filaments in arteries of different size examined using desmin deficient mice. J Physiol 540(Pt 3):941-9 |
| abstractText | Protein composition and mechanical function of intermediate filaments were examined in arteries of different sizes using desmin deficient mice (Des-/-) and their wild-type controls (Des+/+). Using SDS-PAGE gels and Western blots we found a gradient in desmin expression in the arterial tree; the desmin content increased from the elastic artery aorta, via the muscular mesenteric artery to the resistance-sized mesenteric microarteries approximately 150 microm in diameter in Des+/+ mice. Mechanical experiments were performed on the aorta, the mesenteric artery and resistance-sized arteries using wire myographs. For aorta and mesenteric artery, no differences in passive or active circumference- stress relations were found between Des-/- and Des+/+ mice. In microarteries, both passive and active stress were lower in the Des-/- group. In conclusion, large elastic and muscular arteries contain a relatively low amount of desmin, and the desmin intermediate filaments do not seem to play a major role in the mechanical properties of these larger arterial vessels. In the microarteries, where expression of desmin is high, desmin plays a role in supporting both passive and active tension. |
