An investigational approach aiming to improve dystrophin-like function without delivering dystrophin itself is known as what?

• A. Stem cell transplantation
• B. Utrophin upregulation
• C. Gene therapy
• D. Anti-inflammatory therapy

Answer: (B)

Upregulating utrophin to mimic dystrophin function. Utrophin is a protein similar to dystrophin and can interact with the same dystrophin-associated protein complex to help stabilize the muscle cell membrane during contraction. By increasing utrophin levels, the membrane becomes more resistant to damage even in the absence of dystrophin, providing a dystrophin-like protective effect without delivering the dystrophin protein itself. This approach focuses on compensating for dystrophin loss by boosting a natural homolog rather than replacing or adding dystrophin directly. In contrast, stem cell transplantation aims to supply dystrophin-containing cells, gene therapy would deliver dystrophin or micro-dystrophin genes, and anti-inflammatory therapy addresses secondary damage rather than restoring membrane stability.