Differentially expressed protein spots in AQP4^−/− quadriceps muscle compared to WT.

<p>Only protein spots that were present on every gel (n = 4 separate comparisons) and demonstrating changes with significance p<0.05 were accepted as being differentially expressed. The proteins were identified by ESI-IT and accession numbers are given.</p

Protein-protein interaction map of the MS-identified proteins.

<p>Protein IDs obtained upon MS-based identification of spots of interest were uploaded to String 8.3 for protein-protein interaction mapping. High degree nodes (GAPDH and VCP) and three main clusters of proteins (right, bottom-left, upper-left) were individuated.</p

Sarcolemma integrity assay.

<p>To examine infiltration of blood serum proteins into damaged muscle fibers, WT, AQP4^−/− and mdx mice were intraperitoneally injected with Evans blue dye. M<i>dx</i> quadriceps displays many Evans blue dye–positive fibers (visualized by red fluorescence), due to membrane damage. Evans blue dye was minimally detected in muscle from WT and AQP4^−/− mice, demonstrating that the absence of AQP4 expression did not perturb sarcolemmal integrity. Scale bar: 50 µm.</p

Data are expressed as mean±SEM. *p<0.01, AQP4 KO vs WT.

<p>Data are expressed as mean±SEM. *p<0.01, AQP4 KO vs WT.</p