Desmin and vimentin in regenerating muscles.

Desmin is a normal constituent of skeletal muscle fibers; vimentin is contained in myoblasts and connective tissue cells. The intracellular localization of both intermediate filament proteins in regenerating rat muscles was investigated by immunohisto- and immunocytochemistry. Necrosis was induced by hot Ringer solution. Desmin and vimentin were diffusely distributed in myoblasts and young myotubes. Both proteins became arranged in a sarcomeric fashion between the Z-lines when the sarcomeres got into register. Desmin reactivity persisted, but vimentin disappeared after about 2 weeks. Traces were found for up to 4 weeks. This observation is in contrast to findings in fetal and cultured muscles in which several authors did not find expression of vimentin after myoblast fusion. The presence of vimentin may well be a useful marker for regenerated muscle fibers in muscle biopsies from patients with neuromuscular disorders.