Immp2l Mutation Induces Mitochondrial Membrane Depolarization and Complex Ⅲ Activity Suppression after Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Mice

Objective We previously reported that mutations in inner mitochondrial membrane peptidase 2-like(Immp2l)increase infarct volume,enhance superoxide production,and suppress mitochondrial respiration after transient cerebral focal ischemia and reperfusion injury.The present study investigated the impact of heterozygous Immp2l mutation on mitochondria function after ischemia and reperfusion injury in mice.Methods Mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1 h followed by 0,1,5,and 24 h of reperfusion.The effects of Immp2l^(+/−)on mitochondrial membrane potential,mitochondrial respiratory complex III activity,caspase-3,and apoptosis-inducing factor(AIF)translocation were examined.Results Immp2l^(+/−)increased ischemic brain damage and the number of TUNEL-positive cells compared with wild-type mice.Immp2l^(+/−)led to mitochondrial damage,mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization,mitochondrial respiratory complex III activity suppression,caspase-3 activation,and AIF nuclear translocation.Conclusion The adverse impact of Immp2l^(+/−)on the brain after ischemia and reperfusion might be related to mitochondrial damage that involves depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential,inhibition of the mitochondrial respiratory complex III,and activation of mitochondria-mediated cell death pathways.These results suggest that patients with stroke carrying Immp2l^(+/−)might have worse and more severe infarcts,followed by a worse prognosis than those without Immp2l mutations.

Membrane vesicles derived from Streptococcus suis serotype 2 induce cell pyroptosis in endothelial cells via the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway

Streptococcus suis serotype 2(S.suis 2)is a zoonotic pathogen that clinically causes severe swine and human infections(such as meningitis,endocarditis,and septicemia).In order to cause widespread diseases in different organs,S.suis 2 must colonize the host,break the blood barrier,and cause exaggerated inflammation.In the last few years,most studies have focused on a single virulence factor and its influences on the host.Membrane vesicles(MVs)can be actively secreted into the extracellular environment contributing to bacteria-host interactions.Gram-negative bacteria-derived outer membrane vesicles(OMVs)were recently shown to activate host Caspase-11-mediated non-canonical inflammasome pathway via deliverance of OMV-bound lipopolysaccharide(LPS),causing host cell pyroptosis.However,little is known about the effect of the MVs from S.suis 2(Gram-positive bacteria without LPS)on cell pyroptosis.Thus,we investigated the molecular mechanism by which S.suis 2 MVs participate in endothelial cell pyroptosis.In this study,we used proteomics,electron scanning microscopy,fluorescence microscope,Western blotting,and bioassays,to investigate the MVs secreted by S.suis 2.First,we demonstrated that S.suis 2 secreted MVs with an average diameter of 72.04 nm,and 200 proteins in MVs were identified.Then,we showed that MVs were transported to cells via mainly dynamin-dependent endocytosis.The S.suis 2 MVs activated NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD canonical inflammasome signaling pathway,resulting in cell pyroptosis,but it did not activate the Caspase-4/-5 pathway.More importantly,endothelial cells produce large amounts of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and lost their mitochondrial membrane potential under induction by S.suis 2 MVs.The results in this study suggest for the first time that MVs from S.suis 2 were internalized by endothelial cells via mainly dynamin-dependent endocytosis and might promote NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway by mitochondrial damage,which produced mtDNA and ROS under induction,leading to the pyroptosis of endothelial cells.

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 by FCPR16 protects SH-SY5Y cells against MPP^+ -induced decline of mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative stress

Parkinson disease(PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder caused by progressive dopaminergic neuronal death in the substantia nigra pars compacta within the midbrain.There still is no cure,effective treatments for PD,available therapies are only capable of offering temporary and symptomatic relief to the patients.There are certain patents that claim phosphodiesterase(PDE) inhibitors as possible anti-PD drugs,PDE4 is a promising target for the treatment of PD and the underlying mechanism has not yet been well elucidated.PDE4 is an enzyme that specifically hydrolyzes intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)throughout the body,including the brain.Most of the available PDE4 inhibitors exert unpleasant and serious side effects,such as emesis and nausea,which hinder its clinical application.Therefore,more efforts are needed before PDE4 inhibitors with high therapeutic indices are available for treatment of PD.FCPR16 is a novel PDE4 inhibitor with little emetic potential,which exhibits excellent enzyme inhibition activity(IC50=90 nmol·L^(-1)).METHODS SH-SY5 Y cell was induced with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium(MPP+)to mimic PD cell injury in vitro,and CCK-8 assay was used to investigate the viability effects of different concentration of FCPR16(3.1-50 μmol·L^(-1)) on MPP+-injured SH-SY5 Y cells.Detection of apoptosis was performed by flow cytometry.The level of ntracellular reactive oxygen species was detected with the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA,and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in different experimental groups was detected with the JC-1 fluorescent probe.AO staining and Lysotracker Red staining were used to detect the intracellular antophagy changes.The expression of apoptosis related proteins,autophagy and other related signal molecules were demonstrated by Western blotting.Different cellular signaling pathway inhibitors were used to invesitigate the specific cellular mechanisms of FCPR16 protecting MPP+-induced cell injury.RESULTS FCPR16(12.5-50 μmol·L^(-1)) dose-dependently reduced MPP+-induced decline of cell viability,accompanied by reductions in nuclear condensation and lactate dehydrogenase release.The level of cleaved caspase 3 and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 were also decreased after treatment with FCPR16 in MPP+-treated cells.Furthermore,FCPR16(25 μmol·L^(-1)) significantly suppressed the accumulation of reactive oxygen species(ROS),prevented the decline of mitochondrial membrane potential(Δψm) and attenuated the expression of malonaldehyde level.Further studies disclosed that FCPR16 enhanced the levels of cA MP and the exchange protein directly activated by cA MP(Epac) in SHSY5 Y cel s.Western blotting analysis revealed that FCPR16 increased the phosphorylation of c AMP response element-binding protein(CREB) and protein kinase B(Akt)down-regulated by MPP+in SHSY5 Y cells.Moreover,the inhibitory effects of FCPR16 on the production of ROS and Δψm loss could be blocked by PKA inhibitor H-89 and Akt inhibitor KRX-0401.CONCLUSION The novel PDE4 inhibitor FCPR16 can protect against damaging pathways including oxidative stress,mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in SH-SY5 Y cells.FCPR16 preventes MPP+-induced neurotoxicity through activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB and Epac/Akt signaling pathways.These may lead to develop mechanism based therapeutics and improved pharmacotherapy for PD.It is reasonable to assume that FCPR16 is a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of PD.

Berbamine induces apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line SMMC7721 by loss in mitochondrial transmembrane potential and caspase activation

Objective： To investigate the effect ofberbamine on human hepatoma cell line SMMC7721. Methods： The effects of 24 h and 48 h incubation with different concentrations （0-64 μg/ml） of the berbamine on SMMC7721 cells were evaluated using 3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay. Hoechst 33258 staining was conducted to distinguish the apoptotic cell, and the appearance of sub-G1 stage was determined by PI （propidium iodide） staining, the percentage of apoptotic cell was determined by flow cytometry following annexin V/PI staining. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cell cycle distribution and the mitochondrial membrane potential （△ψm）, the expression of activated caspase3 and caspase9 was analyzed by Western-blot. Results： The proliferation of SMMC7721 was decreased after treatment with berbamine in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Berbamine could induce apoptosis in SMMC7721 cells and could cause cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, to induce loss of mitochondrial membrane potential （AVm） and activate caspase3 and caspase9. Berbamine-induced apoptosis could be blocked by the broad caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. Conclusion： Berbamine exerts antiproliferative effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC7721 cells. The anticancer activity of berbamine could be attributed partly to its inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells through loss in mitochondrial transmembrane potential and caspase activation.

Phosphatidylglycerol-containing ER-transport vesicles built and restore outer mitochondrial membrane and deliver nuclear DNA translation products to generate cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane

Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) an important membrane phospholipid required for the synthesis of diphos-phatidylglycerol (DPG) commonly known as cardiolipin (CL) was identified in the fraction of endo-plasmic reticulum (ER)-derived transport vesicles which had no affinity for Golgi. The vesicles were produced in the presence of Brefeldin A (BFA), the agent known to inhibit ER-Golgi transport, and found to display affinity to mitochondria. The analysis revealed that their cargo was not containing proteins that are transported to Golgi, and that their membrane was free of phosphatidylinositol (PI) and ceramides (Cer). The incubation of PG-containing transport vesicles with mitochondria afforded incorporation of their membrane into the Outer Mito-chondrial Membrane (OMM) and formation of lyso-phosphatidylglycerol (LPG). In turn, upon further incubation with fresh transport active cytosol, the mitochondrial LPG was converted to PG. The results of analysis of the OMM, Inner Mitochondrial Mem-brane (IMM) and Inner Mitochondrial Space Components (IMSC) strongly suggest that PG-containing transport vesicles deliver nuclear DNA translation products to the IMSC and thus facilitate CL synthesis in the IMM. In summary, our studies provide evidence that ER-generated PG-enriched transport vesicles represent the general pathway for restitution of mitochondrial membranes and the delivery of nuclear DNA translation products that generate CL, and thus sustain the mitochondrial matrix CL-dependent metabolic reactions.

Mitochondrial membrane protein Bcl-xL, a regulator of adult neuronal growth and synaptic plasticity: multiple functions beyond apoptosis

The B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl2） family of proteins participates in cell death or survival through a mitochondrial pathway. The pro-apoptotic members of the Bcl2 family such as Bim, Bid, Bax and Bak trigger cell death by contributing to the enhancement of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabil- ity to pro-apoptotic factors such as cytochrome c, with the subsequent activation of caspases. The anti-apoptotic mem- bers, such as B-cell lymphoma-extra large （Bd-xL）, block the pro-apoptotic Bcl2 members and prevent cell death. Bcl-xL is abundantly expressed during development and in mature neurons, suggesting that it plays a role in protection from death from untoward events occurring in adult life such as ischemia, inflammation or trauma. When these neurotoxic in- sults occur, Bcl-xL translocates to mitochondria and prevents activation and homo-oligomerization of pro-apoptotic family members such Bax and Bak. Numerous studies have shown pro-survival roles for Bcl-xL in adult neurons using various models; nevertheless, the role of Bcl-xL outside of the field of neuronal death, i.e., in adult neuronal growth, excitability or synaptic plasticity, has not been studied in depth.

Mitochondrial Membranes Restitution Proceeds via Vesicular Import from ER and Cytosol. Counterparts’ Resemblances and Variances in Mitochondria and Golgi Pathways

The processes of mitochondrial restitution are controlled by nuclear genes that encode proteins synthesized in ER and cytosol and delivered as organelle- and membrane-specific transport vesicles. The analysis of the transporters recovered from inner mitochondrial space (Mitosol) revealed that the ER-synthesized mitochondria-specific transport vesicles consist of two carriers, one remaining in outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM), and the other that transfers specific membrane segments to the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). The ER-assembled and IMM-committed membrane segments, while first integrated into OMM, undergo intra-mitochondrial lipid modification reflected in the synthesis of cardiolipin (CL) and inversion into Mitosol with load of IMM associated cytosolic proteins. Then, the CL-bedecked vesicles are released from OMM to Mitosol and upon contact with IMM fuse with the membrane, and the release of cytosolic cargo ensues. While ER-assembled mitochondria-specific transport vesicles fuse with OMM with the aid of the cytosolic, phosphatidylglycerol (PG)-specific phospholipase A2 (PLA2), the Mitosol-contained CL-specific PLA guides vesicles fusion with IMM. The described path of translocation of the membrane segments and the cytosol synthesized proteins into the designated mitochondrial compartments sustains growth and identity of OMM, IMM, maintains protein delivery for intra-mitochondrial lipid and protein modification in Mitosol, and ensures conformity of the cytosolic proteins cargo delivered to matrix.

Interventional effect of phycocyanin on mitochondrial membrane potential and activity of PC12 cells after hypoxia/reoxygenation

BACKGROUND： Phycocyanin can relieve decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential through reducing production of active oxygen so as to protect neurons after hypoxia/reoxygenation. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of phycocyanin on activity of PC12 cells and mitochondrial membrane potential after hypoxia/reoxygenation. DESIGN： Randomized controlled study SETTING ： Cerebrovascular Disease Institute of Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Qingdao University MATERIALS： The experiment was carried out at the Key Laboratory of Prevention and Cure for cerebropathia in Shandong Province from October to December 2005. PC12 cells, rat chromaffin tumor cells, were provided by Storage Center of Wuhan University; phycocyanin was provided by Ocean Institute of Academia Sinica; Thiazoyl blue tetrazolium bromide （MTT） and rhodamine 123 were purchased from Sigma Company, USA; RPMI-1640 medium, fetal bovine serum and equine serum were purchased from Gibco Company, USA. METHODS： ① Culture of PC12 cells： PC12 cells were put into RPMI-1640 medium which contained 100 g/L heat inactivation equine serum and 0.05 volume fraction of fetal bovine serum and incubated in CO2 incubator at 37℃. Number of cells was regulated to 4 × 10^5 L 1, and cells were inoculated at 96-well culture plate. The final volume was 100μL. ② Model establishing and grouping： Cultured PC12 cells were randomly divided into three groups： phycocyanin group, model control group and non-hypoxia group. At 24 hours before hypoxia, culture solution in phycocyanin group was added with phycocyanin so as to make sure the final concentration of 3 g/L , but cells in model control group did not add with phycocyanin. Cells in non-hypoxia group were also randomly divided into adding phycocyanin group （the final concentration of 3 g/L） and non-adding phycocyanin group. Cells in model control group and phycocyanin group were cultured with hypoxia for 1 hour and reoxygenation for 1, 2 and 3 hours; meanwhile, cells in non-hypoxia group were cultured with oxygen and were measured at 1 hour after hypoxia/reoxygenation. ③ Detecting items： At 1, 2 and 3 hours after reoxygenation, absorbance （A value） of PC12 cells was measured with MTT technique so as to observe activity and quantity of cells. Fluorescence intensity of PC12 cells marked by rhodamine 123 was measured with confocal microscope in order to observe changes of mitochondrial membrane potential. MAEN OUTCOME MEASURES： Comparisons between quantity and activity of PC12 cells and mitochondria membrane potential at 1, 2 and 3 hours after reoxygenation. RESULTS： ① Effect of phycocyanin on quantity and activity of PC12 cells： A value was 0.924±0.027 in adding phycocyanin group and 0.924±0.033 in non-adding phycocyanin group. A value was lower in model control group and phycocyanin group than that in non-hypoxia group at 1, 2 and 3 hours after reoxygenation （0.817±0.053, 0.838±0.037, 0.875±0.029; 0.842±0.029, 0.872±0.025, 0.906±0.023, P 〈 0.05）. A value was higher in phycocyanin group than that in model control group at 1, 2 and 3 after culture （P 〈 0.05）. With culture time being longer, A value was increased gradually in phycocyanin group and model control group after reoxygenation （P 〈 0.05）. ~ Effect of phycocyanin on mitochondrial membrane potential of PC12 cells： Fluorescence intensity was 2.967±0.253 in adding phycocyanin group and 2.962±0.294 in non-adding phycocyanin group. Fluorescence intensity was lower in model control group and phycocyanin group than that in non-hypoxia group at 1, 2 and 3 hours after hypoxia/reoxygenation （1.899±0.397, 2.119±0.414, 2.287±0.402; 2.191±0.377, 2.264±0.359, 2.436±0.471, P 〈 0.05）; but it was higher in phycocyanin group than that in model control group at 1, 2 and 3 after reoxygenation （P 〈 0.05）. With culture time being longer, fluorescence intensity was increased gradually in phycocyanin group and model control group after reoxygenation （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Phycocyanin and reoxygenation can protect PC12 cells after hypoxia injury through increasing mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular activity, and the effect is improved gradually with prolonging time of reoxygenation.

Cannabidiol (CBD) Prevents Palmitic Acid-Induced Drop in Mitochondrial Membrane Potential

Exposure of macrophages and microglia cells to the saturated palmitic acid (PA) leads to reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential (), shrinkage of the cells and apoptosis. Here we show that the Cannabis component Cannabidiol (CBD) rescues both macrophages and microglia cells from the detrimental effects of PA. CBD prevents the shrinkage in cell size and the reduction incaused by PA. The protective effect of CBD on the macrophage mitochondria is important for sustaining the macrophage population even under the immunosuppressed conditions caused by this drug. To a similar extent, the antagonistic effect of CBD on PA-mediated microglia cytotoxicity is important for its role in neuroprotection.

YB-1 downregulation attenuates UQCRC1 protein expression level in H9C2 cells and decreases the mitochondrial membrane potential

UQCRC1 is one of the 10 mitochondrial complex III subunits,this protein has a role in energy metabolism,myocardial protection,and neurological diseases.The upstream mechanism of the UQCRC1 protective effect on cardiomyocytes is currently unavailable.In order to explore the upstream molecules of UQCRC1 and elucidate the protective mechanism of UQCRC1 on cardiomyocytes in more detail,we focused on the nuclease-sensitive elementbinding protein 1(YB-1).We hypothesized YB-1 acts as an upstream regulatory molecule of UQCRC1.This study found that YB-1 RNAi significantly reduces the expression of the UQCRC1 protein level(p<0.05)and obviously decreases the mitochondrial membrane potential(p<0.05),and that YB-1 interacts with UQCRC1 protein in vivo,but YB-1 RNAi has little effect on the UQCRC1 gene transcription.

Treatment of a patient with severe lactic acidosis and multiple organ failure due to mitochondrial myopathy:A case report

BACKGROUND Mitochondrial myopathy is a rare genetic disease with maternal inheritance that may involve multiple organ systems.Due to the lack of typical characteristics,its clinical diagnosis is difficult,and it is often misdiagnosed or even missed.CASE SUMMARY The patient was a young college student.When he presented at the hospital,he had severe lactic acidosis,respiratory failure,and shock with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS).He was treated by mechanical ventilation,venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,and other organ support.However,his condition continued to worsen.After a thorough and detailed medical and family history was taken,a mitochondrial crisis was suspected.A muscle biopsy was taken.Further genetic testing confirmed a mitochondrial gene mutation(TRNL13243A>G).The final diagnosis of mitochondrial myopathy was made.Although there is no known specific treatment,intravenous methylprednisone and intravenous immunoglobulin were started.The patient’s shock eventually improved.The further course was complicated by severe infection in multiple sites,severe muscle weakness,and recurrent MODS.After 2 mo of multidisciplinary management and intensive rehabilitation,the patient could walk with assistance 4 mo after admission and walk independently 6 mo after admission.CONCLUSION More attention should be paid to mitochondrial myopathy to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.

Mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase-Ⅱ dysfunction: A possible novel mechanism for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in hepatocarcinogenesis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)or metabolic-associated fatty liver disease has been characterized by the lipid accumulation with injury of hepatocytes and has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases in the world.The complex mechanisms of NAFLD formation are still under identification.Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-Ⅱ(CPT-Ⅱ)on inner mitochondrial membrane(IMM)regulates long chain fatty acidβ-oxidation,and its abnormality has had more and more attention paid to it by basic and clinical research in NAFLD.The sequences of its peptide chain and DNA nucleotides have been identified,and the catalytic activity of CPT-Ⅱ is affected on its gene mutations,deficiency,enzymatic thermal instability,circulating carnitine level and so on.Recently,the CPT-Ⅱ dysfunction has been discovered in models of liver lipid accumulation.Meanwhile,the malignant transformation of hepatocyte-related CD44^(+) stem T cell activation,high levels of tumor-related biomarkers(AFP,GPC3)and abnormal activation of Wnt3a expression as a key signal molecule of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway run parallel to the alterations of hepatocyte pathology.This review focuses on some of the progress of CPT-Ⅱ inactivity on IMM with liver fatty accumulation as a possible novel pathogenesis for NAFLD in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Novel Pt(IV) complex OAP2 induces STING activation and pyroptosis via mitochondrial membrane remodeling for synergistic chemo-immunotherapy

Mitochondrial membrane remodeling can trigger the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), leading to the activation of cellular oxidative stress and immune responses. While the role of mitochondrial membrane remodeling in promoting inflammation in hepatocytes is well-established, its effects on tumors have remained unclear. In this study, we designed a novel Pt(IV) complex, OAP2, which is composed of oxaliplatin (Oxa) and acetaminophen (APAP), to enhance its anti-tumor effects and amplify the immune response. Our findings demonstrate that OAP2 induces nuclear DNA damage, resulting in the production of nuclear DNA. Additionally, OAP2 downregulates the expression of mitochondrial Sam50, to promote mitochondrial membrane remodeling and trigger mtDNA secretion, leading to double-stranded DNA accumulation and ultimately synergistically activating the intracellular cGAS-STING pathway. The mitochondrial membrane remodeling induced by OAP2 overcomes the limitations of Oxa in activating the STING pathway and simultaneously promotes gasdermin-D-mediated cell pyroptosis. OAP2 also promotes dendritic cell maturation and enhances the quantity and efficacy of cytotoxic T cells, thereby inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Briefly, our study introduces the first novel small-molecule inhibitor that regulates mitochondrial membrane remodeling for active immunotherapy in anti-tumor research, which may provide a creative idea for targeting organelle in anti-tumor therapy.

Effects of Malonaldehyde Contents in Eschar Extract on Mitochondric Respiratory Function and Energization of the Inner Membrane

Extract of the eschar tissue taken from the rat which had been given full-thickness burn of20% TBSA was found to be inhibitory to the respiratory function of the mitochondria and theenergization of the inner membrane. The inhibition was also demonstrated by the 1: 2 and 1: 4and 1: 8 dilutions of the eschar extract. The extract of normal skin only showed weak inhibitory cf-fect. The 1: 4 dilution of normal skin had no (?) on mitochondrial functions. There is a widegap between the malonaldehyde (MDA) contents of these two kinds of extracts. An apparent posi-tive correlation was found between MDA content and degree of inhibition. However, on close ex-amination, it was found that the MDA content is not the direct cause of the decrease of therespiratory control ratio (RCR). The increase of MDA content is probably related to the destruc-tion of the lipid bilayer of the mitochondria. Data from the energization experiment show that theenergization process is compromised when the destruction of the membrane has proceeded to a cer-tain degrce. The inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory function becomes evident when encrgizationfunction is still normal. Therefore at least two mechanisms are operating in the inhibition process.Further work is needed to elucidate the problem.

Transfer of mitochondria from mesenchymal stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells attenuates hypoxia-ischemia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in PC12 cells

Mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons has been implicated in hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain injury.Although mesenchymal stem cell therapy has emerged as a novel treatment for this pathology,the mechanisms are not fully understood.To address this issue,we first co-cultured 1.5×10^5 PC12 cells with mesenchymal stem cells that were derived from induced pluripotent stem cells at a ratio of 1:1,and then intervened with cobalt chloride(CoCl2)for 24 hours.Reactive oxygen species in PC12 cells was measured by Mito-sox.Mitochondrial membrane potential(ΔΨm)in PC12 cells was determined by JC-1 staining.Apoptosis of PC12 cells was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling staining.Mitochondrial morphology in PC12 cells was examined by transmission electron microscopy.Transfer of mitochondria from the mesenchymal stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells to damaged PC12 cells was measured by flow cytometry.Mesenchymal stem cells were induced from pluripotent stem cells by lentivirus infection containing green fluorescent protein in mitochondria.Then they were co-cultured with PC12 cells in Transwell chambers and treated with CoCl2 for 24 hours to detect adenosine triphosphate level in PC12 cells.CoCl2-induced PC12 cell damage was dose-dependent.Co-culture with mesenchymal stem cells significantly reduced apoptosis and restoredΔΨm in the injured PC12 cells under CoCl2 challenge.Co-culture with mesenchymal stem cells ameliorated mitochondrial swelling,the disappearance of cristae,and chromatin margination in the injured PC12 cells.After direct co-culture,mitochondrial transfer from the mesenchymal stem cells stem cells to PC12 cells was detected via formed tunneling nanotubes between these two types of cells.The transfer efficiency was greatly enhanced in the presence of CoCl2.More importantly,inhibition of tunneling nanotubes partially abrogated the beneficial effects of mesenchymal stem cells on CoCl2-induced PC12 cell injury.Mesenchymal stem cells reduced CoCl2-induced PC12 cell injury and these effects were in part due to efficacious mitochondrial transfer.

Rabbit Annulus Fibrosus Cell Apoptosis Induced by Mechanical Overload via a Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathway

In order to investigate the apoptotic pathway of rabbit annulus fibrosus(AF) cells induced by mechanical overload,an experimental air-pressure model was established in this study to pressurize the rabbit AF cells in vitro.Cells were randomly divided into five groups in which the cells were exposed to a continuous pressure of 1.1 MPa for different lengths of time(0,5,12,24 and 36 h).The cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry;the alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometer;the activities of caspase-8 and 9 were determined by spectrophotometry.The results showed that after the cells were subjected to the pressure for 24 or 36 h,the cell proliferation was inhibited;the ratio of cell apoptosis was increased;the mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased;the activity of caspase-9 was enhanced;no activity changes were observed in caspase-8.The results suggested that treatment with a pressure of 1.1 MPa for more than 24 h can lead to the proliferation inhibition and the apoptosis of rabbit AF cells in vitro,and the mitochondrial-dependent pathway is implicated in the pressure-induced AF cell apoptosis.

Betanodavirus: Mitochondrial disruption and necrotic cell death

Betanodaviruses cause viral nervous necrosis, an infectious neuropathological condition in fish that is characterized by necrosis of the central nervous system, including the brain and retina. This disease can cause mass mortality in larval and juvenile populations of several teleost species and is of global economic importance. The mechanism of brain and retina damage during betanodavirus infection is poorly understood. In this review, we will focus recent results that highlight betanodavirus infection-induced molecular death mechanisms in vitro. Betanodavirus can induce host cellular death and post-apoptotic necrosis in fish cells. Betanodavirus-induced necrotic cell death is also correlated with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in fish cells, as this necrotic cell death is blocked by the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore inhibitor bongkrekic acid and the expression of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family member zf Bcl-x L. Moreover, this mitochondria-mediated necrotic cell death may require a caspase-independent pathway. A possible cellular death pathway involving mitochondrial function and the modulator zf Bcl-xs is discussed which may provide new insights into the necrotic pathogenesis of betanodavirus.

Evaluation of sperm mitochondrial function using rh123/PI dual fluorescent staining in asthenospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia

Objective：The recent advent of flow cytometry（FCM）,coupled with fluorescent dyes,has been successfully applied to assess mitochondrial function.The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and clinical significance of detecting sperm mitochondrial function and to evaluate sperm mitochondrial function by using Rhodamine 123/propidium（Rh123/PI）dual fluorescent staining and FCM in asthenospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia.Methods：Twenty-five fertile men（with normal sperm parameters）and 230 infertile patients were examined.Fifty-five patients of the above 230 patients were selected for idiopathic infertility samples and were divided into two groups：asthenospermia（n=30）and oligoasthenozoospermia（n=25）.Rh123/PI dual fluorescent staining and FCM were carried out to examine sperm mitochondrial function.Results：Significant differences were found between the normal and abnormal semen samples（P0.05）when Rh123＋/PI-,Rh123-/PI＋and Rh123-/PI-sperm were examined by FCM,but there was no significant difference between the asthenospermia（P=0.469） and oligoasthenozoospermia group（P=0.950）when Rh123＋/PI-and Rh123-/PI＋sperm were then examined;however,a significant difference was found between the 2 groups（P=0.003）when Rh123-/PI-sperm were examined.There was no correlation between Rh123-/PI-sperm and semen parameters in the normal group,but there was a significant negative correlation between the sperm concentration and Rh123-/PI-sperm in asthenospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia patients（r=-0.509,-0.660;P=0.018,0.038）.Conclusion：Rh123/PI dual fluorescent staining and FCM can provide reliable information to assess the quality of sperm and reveal differences in mitochondrial membrane potential in asthenospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia.

Membrane Lipid Replacement: Clinical Studies Using a Natural Medicine Approach to Restoring Membrane Function and Improving Health

Functional oral supplements containing cell membrane glycerolphospholipids and antioxidants have been used to safely replace damaged membrane lipids that accumulate during aging and in various clinical conditions. This approach differs from other dietary and intravenous interventions in the composition of phospholipids and the presence of fructooligosaccharides that protect the phospholipids against oxidation and bile and enzymatic damage. Various chronic clinical conditions are characterized by membrane phospholipid oxidative damage, resulting in loss of cellular function. Recent clinical trials have shown the benefits of Membrane Lipid Replacement in replenishing damaged membrane lipids and restoring mitochondrial function, resulting in reductions in fatigue in aged subjects and patients with a variety of clinical diagnoses. Recent in vitro experiments with nonphysiological concentrations of phospholipids did not result in enhancement of mitochondrial electron transport enzyme activities. This can be explained by the use of the wrong phospholipid fatty acids, over-dilution of membrane constituents and mitochondrial swelling. A similar phenomenon was seen when human sperm were incubated in vitro with high concentrations of glycerolphospholipids and their motility was assessed. Only lower, more physiological concentrations of glycerolphospholipids stimulated sperm motility. Additional studies are needed to determine the functional effects of Membrane Lipid Replacement on other cellular membranes, such as the plasma membrane and other intracellular membranes of various cells and tissues.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor protects retinal ganglion cells from hypoxia-induced apoptosis by preventing mitochondrial dysfunction

AIM： To investigate the potential of pigment epitheliumderived factor（PEDF） to protect the immortalized rat retinal ganglion cells-5（RGC-5） exposed to Co Cl2-induced chemical hypoxia. METHODS： After being differentiated with staurosporine（SS）, RGC-5 cells were cultured in four conditions： control group cells cultured in Dulbecco ＇s modified eagle medium（DMEM） supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 100 μmol/m L streptomycin and penicillin（named as normal conditions）; hypoxia group cells cultured in DMEM containing 300 μmol/m L Co Cl2; cells in the group protected by PEDF were first pretreated with 100 ng/m L PEDF for 2h and then cultured in the same condition as hypoxia group cells; and PEDF group cells that were cultured in the presence of 100 ng/m L PEDF under normal conditions. The cell viability was assessed by MTT assay, the percentage of apoptotic cells was quantified using Annexin V-FITC apoptosis kit, and intra-cellar reactive oxygen species（ROS） was measured by dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate（DCFH-DA） probe. The mitochondria-mediated apoptosis was also examined to further study the underlying mechanism of the protective effect of PEDF. The opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores（m PTPs） and membrane potential（Δψm） were tested as cellular adenosine triphosphate（ATP） level and glutathione（GSH）. Also, the expression and distribution of Cyt C and apoptosis inducing factor（AIF） were observed.RESULTS： SS induced differentiation of RGC-5 cells resulting in elongation of their neurites and establishing contacts between outgrowths. Exposure to 300 μmol/m L Co Cl2 triggered death of 30% of the total cells in cultures within 24 h. At the same time, pretreatment with 100 ng/m L PEDF significantly suppressed the cell death induced by hypoxia（P〈0.05）. The apoptosis induced by treatment of Co Cl2 was that induced cell death accompanied with increasing intracellar ROS and decreasing GSH and ATP level. PEDF pretreatment suppressed these effects（P〈0.05）. Additionally, PEDF treatment inhibited the opening of m PTPs and suppressed decreasing of Δψm in RGC-5 cells, resulting in blocking of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.CONCLUSION： Pretreatment of RGC-5 cells with 100 ng/m L PEDF significantly decreases the extent of apoptosis. PEDF inhibits the opening of m PTPs and suppresses decreasing of Δψm. Moreover, PEDF also reduces ROS production and inhibits cellular ATP level＇s reduction. Cyt C and AIF activation in PEDF-pretreated cultures are also reduced. These results demonstrate the potential for PEDF to protect RGCs against hypoxic damage in vitro by preventing mitochondrial dysfunction.