Effect of endotoxin on mitochondrial dynamics in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of endotoxin on mitochondrial dynamics in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods HUVECs were cultured in vitro and seeded in the culture plate and randomly divided into 2 groups (n=54 each) using a random number table: control group (group C) and endotoxin group(group E). Lipopolysaccharides(LPS) with the final concentration of 10 μg/ml was added in group E. At 2, 8 and 24 h of incubation with LPS, the cell viability was detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, the intracellular ATP content was determined by the phosphomolybdic acid colorimetric method, and the expression of the mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) was detected by Western blot. Results Compared with group C, the cell viability and ATP content were significantly decreased, and the expression of DRP1 was significantly up-regulated at each time point of incubation with LPS in group E (P 0.05). Compared with the values at 8 h of incubation with LPS, the ATP content was significantly increased, and the expression of DRP1 was significantly down-regulated at 24 h of incubation with LPS (P 0.05). Conclusion The mechanism underlying endotoxin-induced mitochondrial damage in HUVECs is associated with up-regulation of DRP1 expression and promotion of excessive mitochondrial fission. Key words: Endotoxemia; Blood vessels; Endothelial cells; Mitochondria