Secretion of laminin α2 chain in cerebrospinal fluid

AbstractThe absence of laminin α2 chain causes muscle cell degeneration and peripheral dysmyelination in congenital muscular dystrophy patients and dy mice, suggesting its role in the maintenance of sarcolemmal architecture and peripheral myelinogenesis. Here we demonstrate the secretion of laminin α2 chain in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Laminin α2 chain was detected as a minor component of the total CSF proteins or glycoproteins. Laminin α2 chain was localized in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells of choroid plexus, suggesting active secretion. Our results suggest that immunochemical analysis of CSF laminin α2 chain could be useful as an aid for the diagnosis of congenital muscular dystrophy