MOMP in the absence of BH3-only proteins

The minimum requirement for mitochondrial apoptosis has been controversial ever since the discovery of BCL-2 as a cell death regulator. In this issue of Genes & Development, O''Neill and colleagues (pp. 973–988) end a long-standing debate by creating a cellular system free of BCL-2 family proteins, thereby identifying the outer mitochondrial membrane rather than BH3-only proteins as the only requirement for BAX/BAK activation and mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP).     

4-Hydroxynonenal regulates mitochondrial function in human small airway epithelial cells

Prolonged exposure to oxidative stress causes Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and significantly impairs pulmonary function. Previously we have demonstrated that mitochondrial dysfunction is a key pathological factor in hyperoxic ALI. While it is known that hyperoxia induces the production of stable, but toxic 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) molecule, it is unknown how the reactive aldehyde disrupts mitochondrial function. Our previous in vivo study indicated that exposure to hyperoxia significantly increases 4-HNE-Protein adducts, as well as levels of MDA in total lung homogenates. Based on the in vivo studies, we explored the effects of 4-HNE in human small airway epithelial cells (SAECs). Human SAECs treated with 25 μM of 4-HNE showed a significant decrease in cellular viability and increased caspase-3 activity. Moreover, 4-HNE treated SAECs showed impaired mitochondrial function and energy production indicated by reduced ATP levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, and aconitase activity. This was followed by a significant decrease in mitochondrial oxygen consumption and depletion of the reserve capacity. The direct effect of 4-HNE on the mitochondrial respiratory chain was confirmed using Rotenone. Furthermore, SAECs treated with 25 μM 4-HNE showed a time-dependent depletion of total Thioredoxin (Trx) proteins and Trx activity. Taken together, our results indicate that 4-HNE induces cellular and mitochondrial dysfunction in human SAECs, leading to an impaired endogenous antioxidant response.     

Empagliflozin restores chronic kidney disease–induced impairment of endothelial regulation of cardiomyocyte relaxation and contraction

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VRK2 is involved in the innate antiviral response by promoting mitostress-induced mtDNA release

Mitochondrial stress (mitostress) triggered by viral infection or mitochondrial dysfunction causes the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into the cytosol and activates the cGAS-mediated innate immune response. The regulation of mtDNA release upon mitostress remains uncharacterized. Here, we identified mitochondria-associated vaccinia virus-related kinase 2 (VRK2) as a key regulator of this process. VRK2 deficiency inhibited the induction of antiviral genes and caused earlier and higher mortality in mice after viral infection. Upon viral infection, VRK2 associated with voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) and promoted VDAC1 oligomerization and mtDNA release, leading to the cGAS-mediated innate immune response. VRK2 was also required for mtDNA release and cGAS-mediated innate immunity triggered by nonviral factors that cause Ca²⁺ overload but was not required for the cytosolic nucleic acid-triggered innate immune response. Thus, VRK2 plays a crucial role in the mtDNA-triggered innate immune response and may be a potential therapeutic target for infectious and autoimmune diseases associated with mtDNA release.     

Culture at low glucose up-regulates mitochondrial function in pancreatic β cells with accompanying effects on viability

We tested whether exposure of β cells at reduced glucose leads to mitochondrial adaptions and whether such adaptions modulate effects of hypoxia. Rat islets, human islets and INS-1 832/13 cells were pre-cultured short term at half standard glucose concentrations (5.5 mM for rat islets and cells, 2.75 mM for human islets) without overtly negative effects on subsequently measured function (insulin secretion and cellular insulin contents) or on viability. Culture at half standard glucose upregulated complex I and tended to upregulate complex II in islets and INS-1 cells alike. An increased release of lactate dehydrogenase that followed exposure to hypoxia was attenuated in rat islets which had been pre-cultured at half standard glucose. In INS-1 cells exposure to half standard glucose attenuated hypoxia-induced effects on several viability parameters (MTT, cell number and incremental apoptotic DNA). Thus culture at reduced glucose of pancreatic islets and clonal β cells leads to mitochondrial adaptions which possibly lessen the negative impact of hypoxia on β cell viability. These findings appear relevant in the search for optimization of pre-transplant conditions in a clinical setting.     

Pycnogenol achieves neuroprotective effects in rats with spinal cord injury by stabilizing the mitochondrial membrane potential

ABSTRACT

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to verify the neuroprotective effects of pycnogenol (PYC) on spinal cord injury (SCI) and to determine the underlying mechanisms.     

重楼皂苷D对人胰腺癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

重楼皂苷D(polyphyllin D)是重楼中的一种甾体皂苷单体,具有抗菌、镇痛、镇静、抗肿瘤等多种药理作用,但在胰腺癌中少有报道。该研究通过检测凋亡相关指标,探讨polyphyllin D对人胰腺癌Panc-1细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及相关作用机制。采用CCK-8法检测不同浓度的(0,1,2,3,4,5μg·μL-1)polyphyllin D分别处理胰腺癌Panc-1细胞24,48,72 h后,观察对细胞增殖的影响。采用流式细胞术对细胞周期、细胞线粒体膜电位(mitochondrial membrane protential,MMP)进行检测,Annexin-V-FITC/PI双染法检测细胞凋亡情况,Western blot法检测细胞色素C (cytochrome C,Cyto C),Bax,Bcl-2,cleaved caspase-3,cleaved caspase-9的蛋白表达情况。结果表明,与对照组相比,polyphyllin D能够时间和浓度依赖性地抑制Panc-1细胞的增殖活性。流式细胞术检测显示polyphyllin D能浓度依赖性使细胞阻滞于S期和G2/M期,MMP明显降低,细胞凋亡率随polyphyllin D作用浓度增加而增加。Western blot结果显示,polyphyllin D能浓度依赖性地上调Bax,Cyto C,cleaved caspase-3和cleaved caspase-9的蛋白表达水平,下调Bcl-2的蛋白表达水平。以上研究结果提示,polyphyllin D能抑制胰腺癌Panc-1细胞的增殖,其机制可能与阻滞细胞的生长周期以及通过线粒体途径诱导细胞的凋亡相关。     

Relationship between European Mitochondrial Haplogroups and Chronic Renal Allograft Rejection in Patients with Kidney Transplant

Mitochondrial DNA variants may contribute to differences in mitochondrial function, leading to an altered immune system. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between mtDNA haplogroups and the development of chronic allograft dysfunction in patients with kidney transplant. A retrospective observational study was carried out on 261 patients who received kidney transplant (114 had stable transplant and 147 patients developed chronic allograft dysfunction). DNA samples were genotyped for 14 mtDNA polymorphisms by using Sequenom''s MassARRAY platform (San Diego, CA, USA). Only European white patients within the N macro-cluster were included. Patients with haplogroups V (odds ratio (OR)=0.32; p=0.037) and J (OR=0.36; p=0.038) showed lower odds for developing CRAD than patients with haplogroup H. After adjusting for the most significant variables, haplogroups V and J tended to statistical significance (p=0.091 and p=0.067 respectively). This is a preliminary study in which mtDNA haplogroups seem to be implicated in susceptibility or protection for developing chronic allograft dysfunction.