[Pathological changes in heart activity of mdx mice and future prospects of mdx model in cardioimmunulogy]

Dystrophin is a protein linking the cytoskeleton to a complex of transmembrane proteins that interact with the extracellular matrix. The fragility of the cardiomyocyte cell membrane resulting from the lack of dystrophin is thought to cause an excessive susceptibility to mechanical stress. Based on surface ECC we demonstrate the differences of cardiac phenotype in young (2- to 3-mo-old) and aged (over 1,5 years) dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse and normal mouse with the same genetic background. It was shown that main alterations in the mdx electrocardiogram concern primarily ventricular conduction velocity (QRS complex duration) and time of ventricular repolarization (QT interval) duration).The issue under discussion is whether dystrophin deficient mdx model can be used in research studies in cardioimmunology.