Protective Effect of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone on TNF-α-induced Mitochondrial Injury in Chondrocytes

Osteoarthritis(OA)is a degenerative disease characterized by matrix degradation and cell death leading to a gradual loss of articular cartilage integrity.As a bacterial synthesis of quinine,pyrroloquinoline quinone(PQQ)is a strong redox cofactor with a variety of biological benefits,including antioxidant,anti-inflammation-induced mitochondrial metabolism regulation.This study was designed to investigate the effect of PQQ on TNF-α-induced mitochondrial damage in chondrocytes.Chondrocytes isolated from C57BL/6 mice were exposed to TNF-α50 ng/mL,TNF-α50 ng/mL+PQQ 10µmol/L for 24 h.Then,morphological study,functional study and mechanism study were taken.The results revealed TNF-α-induced chondrocyte mitochondrion damage could be reduced by application of PQQ,evidenced by elevated number of mitochondria,well-kept mtDNA integrity,preserved ATP level,reestablished mitochondrial membrane potential,and prevented mitochondrial function.The present work strongly suggests that the mitochondrion is an important target for OA chondrocyte damage induced by TNF-αand the PQQ protection from this damage ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction induced by TNF-α.PQQ might be a potential chemical for OA intervention.

Low Selenium and Low Protein Exacerbate Myocardial Damage in Keshan Disease by Affecting the PINK1/Parkin-mediated Mitochondrial Autophagy Pathway

Objective Keshan disease(KD)is a myocardial mitochondrial disease closely related to insufficient selenium(Se)and protein intake.PTEN induced putative kinase 1(PINK1)/Parkin mediated mitochondrial autophagy regulates various physiological and pathological processes in the body.This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between PINK1/Parkin-regulated mitochondrial autophagy and KD-related myocardial injury.Methods A low Se and low protein animal model was established.One hundred Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups(control group,low Se group,low protein group,low Se+low protein group,and corn from KD area group).The JC-1 method was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP).ELISA was used to detect serum creatine kinase MB(CK-MB),cardiac troponin I(cTnI),and mitochondrial-glutamicoxalacetic transaminase(M-GOT)levels.RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of PINK1,Parkin,sequestome 1(P62),and microtubule-associated proteins1A/1B light chain 3B(MAP1LC3B).Results The MMP was significantly decreased and the activity of CK-MB,cTnI,and M-GOT significantly increased in each experimental group(low Se group,low protein group,low Se+low protein group and corn from KD area group)compared with the control group(P<0.05 for all).The mRNA and protein expression levels of PINK1,Parkin and MAP1LC3B were profoundly increased,and those of P62 markedly decreased in the experimental groups compared with the control group(P<0.05 for all).Conclusion Low Se and low protein levels exacerbate myocardial damage in KD by affecting the PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy pathway.

Time representation of mitochondrial morphology and function after acute spinal cord injury

Changes in mitochondrial morphology and function play an important role in secondary damage after acute spinal cord injury. We recorded the time representation of mitochondrial morphology and function in rats with acute spinal cord injury. Results showed that mitochondria had an irregular shape, and increased in size. Mitochondrial cristae were disordered and mitochondrial membrane rupture was visible at 2–24 hours after injury. Fusion protein mitofusin 1 expression gradually increased, peaked at 8 hours after injury, and then decreased to its lowest level at 24 hours. Expression of dynamin-related protein 1, amitochondrial fission protein, showed the opposite kinetics. At 2–24 hours after acute spinal cord injury, malondialdehyde content, cytochrome c levels and caspase-3 expression were increased, but glutathione content, adenosine triphosphate content, Na＋-K＋-ATPase activity and mitochondrial membrane potential were gradually reduced. Furthermore, mitochondrial morphology altered during the acute stage of spinal cord injury. Fusion was important within the first 8 hours, but fission played a key role at 24 hours. Oxidative stress was inhibited, biological productivity was diminished, and mitochondrial membrane potential and permeability were reduced in the acute stage of injury. In summary, mitochondrial apoptosis is activated when the time of spinal cord injury is prolonged.

3′-Daidzein sulfonate sodium improves mitochondrial functions after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

3′-Daidzein sulfonate sodium is a new synthetic water-soluble compound derived from daidzein（an active ingredient of the kudzu vine root）. It has been shown to have a protective effect on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. We plan to study the mechanism of its protective effect. 3′-Daidzein sulfonate sodium was injected in rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Results showed that 3′-daidzein sulfonate sodium significantly reduced mitochondrial swelling, significantly elevated the mitochondrial membrane potential, increased mitochondrial superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and decreased mitochondrial malondialdehyde levels. 3′-Daidzein sulfonate sodium improved the structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier and reduced blood-brain barrier permeability. These findings confirmed that 3′-daidzein sulfonate sodium has a protective effect on mitochondrial functions after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, improves brain energy metabolism, and provides protection against blood-brain barrier damage.

Mitochondrial components transferred by MSC-derived exosomes promoted bone regeneration under high salt microenvironment via DRP1/Wnt signaling

Bone homeostasis relies on the dynamic balance of osteoblast mediated bone construction and osteoclast-based bone resorption processes,which has been reported to be controlled by various mineral ions.However,there is no direct evidence of the effect and the underlying mechanism of high salt stimulation on bone metabolism.In this study,we demonstrated that high salt stimulation promoted excessive mitochondrial fission mediated by dynamin-related protein 1 in mesenchymal stem cells,which resulted in impaired mitochondrial morphology and function.Consequently,this impairment hindered the bone formation of mesenchymal stem cells,resulting in osteopenia in mice.Mechanically,the impaired property of mesenchymal stem cells which was caused by high salt was controlled by dynamin-related protein 1 mediated mitochondrial fission,which inhibited the classical Wnt signaling pathway.Furthermore,the osteogenic property of mesenchymal stem cells decreased by high salt could be restored by exosomes to transfer the mitochondrial DNA into the impaired mesenchymal stem cells.This study provides not only new strategies for promoting bone regeneration but also new insights into the effect and mechanism of exosome-mediated delivery.