Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: From Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Target

Mitochondria are cytosolic organelles essential for cellular function and survival. The function of mitochondria is maintained by mitochondrial quality control systems including mitochondrial fission and fusion to adapt the altered environment and mitophagy for removal of damaged mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely involved in aging-related diseases. Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, an aging-associated process, is the major contributor to low back pain. Growing evidence has suggested that the mitochondrial function in IVD cells is severely compromised during the degenerative process of IVD, and dysfunctional mitochondria along with impaired mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy cause a series of cascade reactions that have been implicated in increased oxidative stress, senescence, matrix catabolism, and apoptosis of IVD cells, thereby contributing to the degeneration of IVD. Accordingly, therapies that target mitochondrial dysfunction and related mechanisms, such as ROS generation, mitophagy, and specific molecules and signaling, hold great promise. The present review summarizes the current state of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of IVD degeneration and potential therapeutic strategies that could be developed.

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Syntaxin-17-Dependent Mitochondrial Dynamics is Essential for Protection Against Oxidative-Stress-Induced Apoptosis

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox8110522 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 522 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Wang ◽

Xiao ◽

Huang ◽

Liu

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽

Mitochondrial Fission ◽

Autophagic Flux ◽

Wild Type ◽

Dual Roles ◽

Defective Mutant ◽

U2os Cells ◽

Induced Apoptosis

In this study, cell death induced by the oxidant tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBH) was observed in U2OS cells; this phenotype was rescued by Syntaxin 17 (STX17) knockout (KO) but the mechanism is unknown. STX17 plays dual roles in autophagosome–lysosome fusion and mitochondrial fission. However, the contribution of the two functions of STX17 to apoptosis has not been extensively studied. Here, we sought to dissect the dual roles of STX17 in oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis by taking advantage of STX17 knockout cells and an autophagosome–lysosome fusion defective mutant of STX17. We generated STX17 knockout U2OS cells using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system and the STX17 knockout cells were reconstituted with wild-type STX17 and its autophagosome–lysosome fusion defective mutant. Autophagy was assessed by autophagic flux assay, Monomer red fluorescent protein (mRFP)–GFP–LC3 assay and protease protection assay. Golgi, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/ER–Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) and mitochondrial dynamics were examined by staining the different indicator proteins. Apoptosis was evaluated by caspase cleavage assay. The general reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by flow cytometry. In STX17 complete knockout cells, sealed autophagosomes were efficiently formed but their fusion with lysosomes was less defective. The fusion defect was rescued by wild-type STX17 but not the autophagosome–lysosome fusion defective mutant. No obvious defects in Golgi, ERGIC or ER dynamics were observed. Mitochondria were significantly elongated, supporting a role of STX17 in mitochondria fission and the elongation caused by STX17 KO was reversed by the autophagosome–lysosome fusion defective mutant. The clearance of protein aggregation was compromised, correlating with the autophagy defect but not with mitochondrial dynamics. This study revealed a mixed role of STX17 in autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics and oxidative stress response. STX17 knockout cells were highly resistant to oxidative stress, largely due to the function of STX17 in mitochondrial fission rather than autophagy.

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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of mitochondrial fission factor

Diabetologia ◽

10.1007/s00125-021-05488-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yukina Takeichi ◽

Takashi Miyazawa ◽

Shohei Sakamoto ◽

Yuki Hanada ◽

Lixiang Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Er Stress ◽

Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽

Mitochondrial Fission ◽

Primary Hepatocytes ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Expression Of Genes ◽

Specific Deletion

Abstract Aims/hypothesis Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles continuously undergoing fission and fusion, referred to as mitochondrial dynamics, to adapt to nutritional demands. Evidence suggests that impaired mitochondrial dynamics leads to metabolic abnormalities such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) phenotypes. However, how mitochondrial dynamics are involved in the development of NASH is poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the role of mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) in the development of NASH. Methods We created mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of MFF (MffLiKO). MffLiKO mice fed normal chow diet (NCD) or high-fat diet (HFD) were evaluated for metabolic variables and their livers were examined by histological analysis. To elucidate the mechanism of development of NASH, we examined the expression of genes related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and lipid metabolism, and the secretion of triacylglycerol (TG) using the liver and primary hepatocytes isolated from MffLiKO and control mice. Results MffLiKO mice showed aberrant mitochondrial morphologies with no obvious NASH phenotypes during NCD, while they developed full-blown NASH phenotypes in response to HFD. Expression of genes related to ER stress was markedly upregulated in the liver from MffLiKO mice. In addition, expression of genes related to hepatic TG secretion was downregulated, with reduced hepatic TG secretion in MffLiKO mice in vivo and in primary cultures of MFF-deficient hepatocytes in vitro. Furthermore, thapsigargin-induced ER stress suppressed TG secretion in primary hepatocytes isolated from control mice. Conclusions/interpretation We demonstrated that ablation of MFF in liver provoked ER stress and reduced hepatic TG secretion in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, MffLiKO mice were more susceptible to HFD-induced NASH phenotype than control mice, partly because of ER stress-induced apoptosis of hepatocytes and suppression of TG secretion from hepatocytes. This study provides evidence for the role of mitochondrial fission in the development of NASH. Graphical abstract

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High glucose induces Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission via the Orai1 calcium channel to participate in diabetic cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-021-03502-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Qing-Rui Wu ◽

Dan-Lin Zheng ◽

Pei-Ming Liu ◽

Hui Yang ◽

Lu-An Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Calcium Channel ◽

Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽

High Glucose ◽

Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽

Mitochondrial Fission ◽

Calcium Handling ◽

Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy ◽

Mitochondrial Morphology ◽

Calmodulin Binding ◽

Downstream Target

AbstractMitochondrial dysfunction and impaired Ca2+ handling are involved in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Dynamic relative protein 1 (Drp1) regulates mitochondrial fission by changing its level of phosphorylation, and the Orai1 (Ca2+ release-activated calcium channel protein 1) calcium channel is important for the increase in Ca2+ entry into cardiomyocytes. We aimed to explore the mechanism of Drp1 and Orai1 in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy caused by high glucose (HG). We found that Zucker diabetic fat rats induced by administration of a high-fat diet develop cardiac hypertrophy and impaired cardiac function, accompanied by the activation of mitochondrial dynamics and calcium handling pathway-related proteins. Moreover, HG induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, accompanied by abnormal mitochondrial morphology and function, and increased Orai1-mediated Ca2+ influx. Mechanistically, the Drp1 inhibitor mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (Mdivi-1) prevents cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by HG by reducing phosphorylation of Drp1 at serine 616 (S616) and increasing phosphorylation at S637. Inhibition of Orai1 with single guide RNA (sgOrai1) or an inhibitor (BTP2) not only suppressed Drp1 activity and calmodulin-binding catalytic subunit A (CnA) and phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK1/2) expression but also alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy caused by HG. In addition, the CnA inhibitor cyclosporin A and p-ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 improved HG-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by promoting and inhibiting phosphorylation of Drp1 at S637 and S616, respectively. In summary, we identified Drp1 as a downstream target of Orai1-mediated Ca2+ entry, via activation by p-ERK1/2-mediated phosphorylation at S616 or CnA-mediated dephosphorylation at S637 in DCM. Thus, the Orai1–Drp1 axis is a novel target for treating DCM.

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Abstract 269: Cardiac Specific Disruption of Drp-1 Causes the Development of Cardiac Dysfunction via Inhibition of Autophagy and Induction of Apoptosis

Circulation Research ◽

10.1161/res.113.suppl_1.a269 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Yoshiyuki Ikeda ◽

Junichi Sadoshima

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽

Systolic Function ◽

Mitochondrial Fission ◽

Mitochondrial Mass ◽

Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽

Tibia Length ◽

Cardiac Systolic Function

Fission and fusion affect mitochondrial turnover in part by modulating mitophagy. This study aimed to clarify the role of mitochondrial fission in regulating cardiac function and autophagy in the heart. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp-1) plays an essential role in mediating mitochondrial fission. Therefore, we generated cardiac specific Drp-1 KO mice and utilized cultured cardiomyocytes transduced with adenovirus harboring short hairpin Drp-1 (Ad-shDrp-1) to test the effect of Drp-1 disruption both in vivo and in vitro. In Drp-1 KO hearts we observed a significantly greater mitochondrial mass ratio compared to control, as assessed by electron microscopy (Drp-1 KO: 3.57 ± 1.38, control: 1.18 ± 0.31, P<0.05). Mitochondrial ATP content was significantly lower (0.70 ± 0.07 vs 1.03 ± 0.10, P<0.05), while mitochondrial swelling was significantly greater (% decrease in absorbance; 8.01 ± 1.99 vs 2.01 ± 0.58, P<0.05) in Drp-1 KO hearts versus control. Mitochondrial membrane potential, assessed by JC-1 staining, was significantly reduced in myocytes with knockdown of Drp-1. Taken together, these results suggest that inhibition of fission causes mitochondrial dysfunction. We also examined the effect of Drp-1 depletion on autophagy. We found that the amount of LC-3 II was significantly less (0.47 ± 0.16 vs 1.32 ±0.34, P<0.05), whereas p62 expression was significantly greater (1.14 ± 0.16 vs 0.16 ± 0.06, P<0.01) in Drp-1 KO hearts compared to control. The number of LC3 dots in Ad-shDrp-1 transduced myocytes was lower than that of sh-scramble treatment. We investigated apoptosis and found that the amount of cleaved caspase-3 (0.62 ± 0.24 vs 0.18 ± 0.04, P<0.05) and the number of TUNEL positive cells (0.22 ± 0.12 vs 0.03 ± 0.06%, P<0.01) were higher in Drp-1 KO versus control hearts. Cardiac systolic function was reduced (ejection fraction; 44.5 ± 6.3 vs 85.4 ± 5.7%, P<0.01) and LVW/tibia length was greater (4.48 ± 0.38 vs 3.84 ± 0.58, P<0.05) in Drp-1 KO mice compared to control. Finally, we observed that the survival rate of Drp-1 KO mice was significantly reduced compared to control mice. Our results demonstrate that inhibition of mitochondrial fission via disruption of Drp-1 inhibits autophagy and causes mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby promoting cardiomyopathy.

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T-2 Toxin-Induced Oxidative Stress Leads to Imbalance of Mitochondrial Fission and Fusion to Activate Cellular Apoptosis in the Human Liver 7702 Cell Line

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins12010043 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 43 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Junhua Yang ◽

Wenbo Guo ◽

Jianhua Wang ◽

Xianli Yang ◽

Zhiqi Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Human Liver ◽

Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽

Mitochondrial Fission ◽

Mitochondrial Fusion ◽

Mitochondrial Dynamic ◽

Normal Human Liver ◽

Induced Apoptosis

T-2 toxin, as a highly toxic mycotoxin to humans and animals, induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in various cells and tissues. Apoptosis and mitochondrial fusion/fission are two tightly interconnected processes that are crucial for maintaining physiological homeostasis. However, the role of mitochondrial fusion/fission in apoptosis of T-2 toxin remains unknown. Hence, we aimed to explore the putative role of mitochondrial fusion/fission on T-2 toxin induced apoptosis in normal human liver (HL-7702) cells. T-2 toxin treatment (0, 0.1, 1.0, or 10 μg/L) for 24 h caused decreased cell viability and ATP concentration and increased production of (ROS), as seen by a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm) and increase in mitochondrial fragmentation. Subsequently, the mitochondrial dynamic imbalance was activated, evidenced by a dose-dependent decrease and increase in the protein expression of mitochondrial fusion (OPA1, Mfn1, and Mfn2) and fission (Drp1 and Fis1), respectively. Furthermore, the T-2 toxin promoted the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytoplasm and induced cell apoptosis triggered by upregulation of Bax and Bax/Bcl-2 ratios, and further activated the caspase pathways. Taken together, these results indicate that altered mitochondrial dynamics induced by oxidative stress with T-2 toxin exposure likely contribute to mitochondrial injury and HL-7702 cell apoptosis.

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Altered Mitochondrial Dynamics in Motor Neuron Disease: An Emerging Perspective

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells9041065 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 1065 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Manohar Kodavati ◽

Haibo Wang ◽

Muralidhar L. Hegde

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Dna Binding ◽

Motor Neuron ◽

Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽

Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽

Motor Neuron Diseases ◽

Potential Implication ◽

Fused In Sarcoma ◽

Apoptotic Pathways

Mitochondria plays privotal role in diverse pathways that regulate cellular function and survival, and have emerged as a prime focus in aging and age-associated motor neuron diseases (MNDs), such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Accumulating evidence suggests that many amyloidogenic proteins, including MND-associated RNA/DNA-binding proteins fused in sarcoma (FUS) and TAR DNA binding protein (TDP)-43, are strongly linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Animal model and patient studies have highlighted changes in mitochondrial structure, plasticity, replication/copy number, mitochondrial DNA instability, and altered membrane potential in several subsets of MNDs, and these observations are consistent with the evidence of increased excitotoxicity, induction of reactive oxygen species, and activation of intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Studies in MND rodent models also indicate that mitochondrial abnormalities begin prior to the clinical and pathological onset of the disease, suggesting a causal role of mitochondrial dysfunction. Our recent studies, which demonstrated the involvement of specific defects in DNA break-ligation mediated by DNA ligase 3 (LIG3) in FUS-associated ALS, raised a key question of its potential implication in mitochondrial DNA transactions because LIG3 is essential for both mitochondrial DNA replication and repair. This question, as well as how wild-type and mutant MND-associated factors affect mitochondria, remain to be elucidated. These new investigation avenues into the mechanistic role of mitochondrial dysfunction in MNDs are critical to identify therapeutic targets to alleviate mitochondrial toxicity and its consequences. In this article, we critically review recent advances in our understanding of mitochondrial dysfunction in diverse subgroups of MNDs and discuss challenges and future directions.

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Mitochondrial Fusion/Fission, Transport and Autophagy in Parkinson's Disease: When Mitochondria Get Nasty

Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.4061/2011/767230 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Daniela M. Arduíno ◽

A. Raquel Esteves ◽

Sandra M. Cardoso

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽

Molecular Basis ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽

Growing Body ◽

Parkinsonian Disorders ◽

Mitochondrial Trafficking

Understanding the molecular basis of Parkinson's disease (PD) has proven to be a major challenge in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. Although several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of PD, a growing body of evidence has highlighted the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and the disruption of the mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics in PD and other parkinsonian disorders. In this paper, we comment on the recent advances in how changes in the mitochondrial function and mitochondrial dynamics (fusion/fission, transport, and clearance) contribute to neurodegeneration, specifically focusing on PD. We also evaluate the current controversies in those issues and discuss the role of fusion/fission dynamics in the mitochondrial lifecycle and maintenance. We propose that cellular demise and neurodegeneration in PD are due to the interplay between mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial trafficking disruption, and impaired autophagic clearance.

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Inhibition of aberrant Hif1α activation delays intervertebral disc degeneration in adult mice

Bone Research ◽

10.1038/s41413-021-00165-x ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zuqiang Wang ◽

Hangang Chen ◽

Qiaoyan Tan ◽

Junlan Huang ◽

Siru Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intervertebral Disc ◽

Disc Degeneration ◽

Genetic Ablation ◽

Adult Mice ◽

Conditional Deletion ◽

Current Therapies ◽

Cartilaginous Endplate ◽

Ivd Degeneration ◽

Deficient Mice

AbstractThe intervertebral disc (IVD) is the largest avascular tissue. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) play essential roles in regulating cellular adaptation in the IVD under physiological conditions. Disc degeneration disease (DDD) is one of the leading causes of disability, and current therapies are ineffective. This study sought to explore the role of HIFs in DDD pathogenesis in mice. The findings of this study showed that among HIF family members, Hif1α was significantly upregulated in cartilaginous endplate (EP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) tissues from human DDD patients and two mouse models of DDD compared with controls. Conditional deletion of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Vhl in EP and AF tissues of adult mice resulted in upregulated Hif1α expression and age-dependent IVD degeneration. Aberrant Hif1α activation enhanced glycolytic metabolism and suppressed mitochondrial function. On the other hand, genetic ablation of the Hif1α gene delayed DDD pathogenesis in Vhl-deficient mice. Administration of 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2), a selective Hif1α inhibitor, attenuated experimental IVD degeneration in mice. The findings of this study show that aberrant Hif1α activation in EP and AF tissues induces pathological changes in DDD, implying that inhibition of aberrant Hif1α activity is a potential therapeutic strategy for DDD.

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Protective Effects of Anti-depressant Citalopram Against Abnormal APP Processing and Amyloid Beta-induced Mitochondrial Dynamics, Biogenesis, Mitophagy and Synaptic Toxicities in Alzheimer’s Disease

Human Molecular Genetics ◽

10.1093/hmg/ddab054 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Arubala P Reddy ◽

Xiangling Yin ◽

Neha Sawant ◽

P Hemachandra Reddy

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽

Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽

Mitochondrial Fission ◽

Protective Role ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Ht22 Cells ◽

Transmission Electron

Abstract The purpose of this study is to study the neuroprotective role of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), citalopram against Alzheimer’s disease (ad). Multiple SSRIs, including citalopram are reported to treat patients with depression, anxiety, and ad. However, their protective cellular mechanisms have not been studied completely. In the current study, we investigated the protective role of citalopram against impaired mitochondrial dynamics, defective mitochondrial biogenesis, defective mitophagy, and synaptic dysfunction in immortalized mouse primary hippocampal cells (HT22) expressing mutant APP (SWI/IND) mutations. Using quantitative RT-PCR, immunoblotting, biochemical methods and transmission electron microscopy methods, we assessed mutant full-length APP/C-terminal fragments and Aβ levels and mRNA and protein levels of mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis, mitophagy, and synaptic genes in mAPP-HT22 cells and mAPP-HT22 cells treated with citalopram. Increased levels of mRNA levels of mitochondrial fission genes, decreased levels of fusion biogenesis, autophagy, mitophagy and synaptic genes were found in mAPP-HT22 cells relative to WT-HT22 cells. However, in mAPP-HT22 cells treated with citalopram compared to mAPP-HT22 cells, revealed reduced levels of the mitochondrial fission genes, increased fusion, biogenesis, autophagy, mitophagy, and synaptic genes. Our protein data agrees with mRNA levels. Transmission electron microscopy revealed significantly increased mitochondrial numbers and reduced mitochondrial length in mAPP-HT22 cells; these were reversed in citalopram treated mAPP-HT22 cells. Cell survival rates were increased in citalopram treated mAPP-HT22 relative to citalopram-untreated mAPP-HT22. Further, mAPP and C-terminal fragments were also reduced in citalopram treated cells. These findings suggest that citalopram reduces mutant APP and Aβ and mitochondrial toxicities and may have a protective role of mutant APP and Aβ-induced injuries in patients with depression, anxiety, and ad.

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Role of GTPase-Dependent Mitochondrial Dynamins in Heart Diseases

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine ◽

10.3389/fcvm.2021.720085 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Jiangen Liu ◽

Xianjing Song ◽

Youyou Yan ◽

Bin Liu

Keyword(s):

Cell Function ◽

Morphological Changes ◽

Heart Function ◽

Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽

Heart Diseases ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion ◽

Mitochondrial Fission ◽

Mitochondrial Fusion ◽

Dependent Manner

Heart function maintenance requires a large amount of energy, which is supplied by the mitochondria. In addition to providing energy to cardiomyocytes, mitochondria also play an important role in maintaining cell function and homeostasis. Although adult cardiomyocyte mitochondria appear as independent, low-static organelles, morphological changes have been observed in cardiomyocyte mitochondria under stress or pathological conditions. Indeed, cardiac mitochondrial fission and fusion are involved in the occurrence and development of heart diseases. As mitochondrial fission and fusion are primarily regulated by mitochondrial dynamins in a GTPase-dependent manner, GTPase-dependent mitochondrial fusion (MFN1, MFN2, and OPA1) and fission (DRP1) proteins, which are abundant in the adult heart, can also be regulated in heart diseases. In fact, these dynamic proteins have been shown to play important roles in specific diseases, including ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart failure, and metabolic cardiomyopathy. This article reviews the role of GTPase-dependent mitochondrial fusion and fission protein-mediated mitochondrial dynamics in the occurrence and development of heart diseases.

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