LAMA2-MD: analyzing the impact on tendons Extracellular Matrix in Development and Disease

Summary of the presentation: This project explores how tendons are affected in a form of muscular dystrophy caused by mutations in the LAMA2 gene. The work focuses on understanding whether tendon cells, not just muscle fibers, are altered during disease development and progression. To address this, the project analyses genes and proteins involved in tendon cell identity, extracellular matrix organization and key signaling pathways that regulate tendon structure and function. By combining developmental and postnatal stages in relevant mouse models, we aim to clarify when tendon alterations first appear and how they progress over time. Ultimately, our research indicates that tendons are an important, and often overlooked, contributor to the symptoms of LAMA2‑related muscular dystrophy. Hence, future therapeutic strategies that target both muscle and tendon may be warranted.

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