Abnormal distribution of desmin and vimentin in myofibers in adult onset myotubular myopathy.

We report, for the first time, muscle immunocytochemical studies in sporadic, adult onset myotubular myopathy (SAOMM), which show intramyofibrillar central, perinuclear desmin and vimentin. This pattern was absent in a normal control and in myofibers with increased internal nuclei associated with denervation and myotonic muscular dystrophy (MyD). These findings resemble those reported in 8- to 15-week-old human fetal myotubes and myofibers of infantile MM, implying a possible regression of intermediate filaments of adult myofibers to an early developmental phase in SAOMM.