TENASCIN IN DENERVATED HUMAN MUSCLE

Tenascin is a large oligomeric glycoprotein of the extracellular matri x. Its location is limited in innervated muscle tissues. We investigat ed immunohistologically. using two monoclonal antibodies (mab) against Tenascin, biopsied denervated human muscle of children and adults. Te nascin was present in the interstitial space among denervated muscle f ibres. Accumulation of Tenascin in denervated adult muscle tissue was frequent, accumulation in denervated muscle tissue of children was spa rse and weak. The two antibodies reacted correspondingly. Tenascin was not only found in the vicinity of atrophic muscle fibres, but also cl ose to normally sized fibres, suggesting an early stage of denervation even before reduction of muscle fibre volume.