title: Neural cell adhesion molecule in normal, denervated, and myopathic human muscle.
abstract: The neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) is a cell-surface glycoprotein that may mediate some intercellular adhesive interactions in the nervous system. In adult rat muscle, N-CAM is concentrated near neuromuscular junctions and on satellite cells, but is nearly undetectable in nonsynaptic portions of myofibers. However, N-CAM is abundant throughout myofibers in denervated and regenerating muscles. Using affinity-purified antibodies to N-CAM, we were able to demonstrate a similar distribution and regulation of N-CAM in human muscle. Myofiber N-CAM was not detectable immunohistochemically in any of 10 normal biopsies or in 4 biopsies that were abnormal but showed no evidence of fiber denervation or regeneration. N-CAM was present, however, at end plates, nerves, and satellite cells in normal human muscle. In contrast, myofiber N-CAM was detected in 16 of 16 patients with histological evidence of denervation and in 10 of 10 patients who had myopathy with degenerating/regenerating myofibers. In addition, 2 of 2 histologically nondiagnostic biopsies from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis contained N-CAM-positive myofibers. Immunoblot analysis also detected N-CAM in denervated and myopathic, but not normal, human muscle. These results suggest that N-CAM may play a role in muscle reinnervation or regeneration and that N-CAM immunohistochemistry may complement conventional techniques in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disease.
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Cashman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Covault
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Wollman
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sanes
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D001706:Biopsy; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules