Skip to main content

BRIEF RESEARCH REPORT article

Front. Pharmacol., 05 February 2024
Sec. Renal Pharmacology

Mitophagy regulates mitochondrial number following pharmacological induction of mitochondrial biogenesis in renal proximal tubule cells

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
  • 2Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, AZ, United States
  • 3Southwest Environmental Health Science Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States

Background: Mitochondrial biogenesis (MB) induction through the activation of the 5-Hydroxytriptamine (5-HT) 1F receptor (HTR1F) is a promising mechanism for the treatment of diseases characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction, such as acute kidney injury (AKI). While several studies report pharmacological activation of MB in the proximal tubule, it is unclear how the proximal tubule regulates itself once the pharmacological activation is removed. Mitophagy is the process of selective mitochondria degradation. We hypothesize that mitophagy decreases mitochondrial number after pharmacological stimulation and restore mitochondrial homeostasis.

Methods: Renal proximal tubules were treated at time 0hr with LY344864 or vehicle for 24 h and then removed. LY344864, a selective HTR1F agonist, induces MB in renal proximal tubules as previously reported (Gibbs et al., Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, 2018, 314(2), F260–F268). Vehicle and pharmacological reagents were added at the 24 h time point. Electron microscopy was used to assess mitochondrial morphology, number, and autolysosomes. Seahorse Bioscience XF-96 extracellular flux analyzer was used to measure maximal mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates (FCCP-OCR), a functional marker of MB.

Results: LY344864 treatment increased FCCP-OCR, phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α), and mitochondrial number after 24 h. These endpoints decreased to baseline 24 h after LY344864 removal. Treatment with ROC-325, an autophagy inhibitor, increased Sequestosome-1 (SQSTM1/P62) and microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain 3 (LC3B) after 24 h of treatment. Also, ROC-325 treatment sustained the elevated mitochondrial number after LY344864 pre-treatment and removal.

Conclusion: These data revealed that inhibition of autophagy extends elevated mitochondrial number and function by preventing the lysosomal degradation of mitochondria after the removal of LY344864.

1 Introduction

1.1 Mitochondrial homeostasis and quality control mechanisms

Mitochondria are ovaloid-shaped dynamic organelles that not only produce energy, but also regulate proliferation, redox processes, lipid metabolism, and programmed cell death (Osellame et al., 2012; Ravanelli et al., 2020; Schulte et al., 2023). Mitochondrial homeostasis is tightly controlled by a complex network of quality control mechanisms that have been developed by eukaryotic cells during evolution to withstand environmental stressors (Bhargava and Schnellmann, 2017; Tang et al., 2021). The three major quality control mechanisms that maintain optimal mitochondrial function in organs like the brain, heart, and kidneys are mitochondrial biogenesis (MB), mitochondrial dynamics (fission and fusion), and mitophagy (Picca et al., 2018). MB is commonly defined as the production of new and functional mitochondria and has been reported to increase during exercise, starvation, cell division and cell differentiation (Finck and Kelly, 2006; Jornayvaz and Shulman, 2010; Lira et al., 2010; Bhargava and Schnellmann, 2017). Mitochondrial fusion is the combination of mitochondria fragments by the merging of their membranes (Adebayo et al., 2021). Mitochondrial fusion facilitates metabolite and gene product exchange between fused mitochondria and normally occurs upon greater energetic demand (Youle and van der Bliek, 2012; Adebayo et al., 2021). Mitochondrial fission refers to the fractionation of mitochondria into two distinct mitochondrial organelles and is essential for the management of mitochondria per cell during cell division (Youle and van der Bliek, 2012). Mitophagy, a selective version of autophagy for mitochondria, is a mechanism by which damaged or redundant mitochondria are eliminated by phagosomal engulfing and further degradation when fused with autolysosomes (Um and Yun, 2017; Wang et al., 2020; Ma et al., 2022). All together, these mechanisms fluctuate depending on metabolic demands to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis.

The kidney filters the blood approximately every hour and selectively reabsorbs solutes and excretes waste products (Parikh et al., 2015). Mitochondria are dense in the proximal tubule, where most of the glomerular filtrate is reabsorbed, to supply energy for transporters. (Scholz et al., 2021). Thus, the proximal tubule is dependent on optimal functioning of mitochondrial quality control mechanisms (Tang et al., 2021). Mitochondrial dysfunction and alteration of mitochondrial quality control mechanisms has been associated with the progression of kidney injury and diseases such as acute kidney injury (AKI) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) (Che et al., 2014; Ni et al., 2015; Parikh et al., 2015; Cleveland and Schnellmann, 2023a). Structural alterations of the mitochondria and downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α), the master regulator of MB, are associated with the progression of AKI (Lynch et al., 2018). Importantly, mitophagy plays a pivotal role in renal function and renal recovery after AKI via clearance of damaged mitochondria (Ishihara et al., 2013; Tang et al., 2018; Livingston et al., 2019; Zuo et al., 2020). Mitophagy regulates MB and mitochondrial density through the degradation of damaged and redundant mitochondria (Bragoszewski et al., 2017; Um and Yun, 2017). Inversely, mitophagy is regulated indirectly by PGC-1α activation of autophagy modulators such as (SQSTM1/P62) and microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain 3 (LC3B) in murine skeletal muscle (Lira et al., 2013; Halling and Pilegaard, 2020). Despite some studies that suggest an association between MB and mitophagy, they have not been explored in the context of pharmacological induction of MB. Thus, there is considerable interest in understanding the impact pharmacological agents on mitochondrial regulation and control mechanisms that restore mitochondrial homeostasis.

Our group has pursued the induction of MB for the treatment of diseases that are characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, DKD, and AKI (Gibbs et al., 2016; Scholpa et al., 2018; Simmons et al., 2021; Hurtado et al., 2023a; Cleveland and Schnellmann, 2023b). Recent studies suggest that pharmacological activation of the 5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT)1F receptor (HTR1F) increases PGC-1α, MB and mitophagy, and accelerates recovery in an AKI mice model (Garrett et al., 2014; Hurtado et al., 2023a; Hurtado et al., 2023b). LY344864, a HTR1F agonist, increased MB signaling pathway that starts with the phosphorylation of AKT and ends in the phosphorylation of PGC-1α for its translocation into the nucleus and upregulation of mitochondrial transcription factors such as mitochondrial transcription factor A (Gibbs et al., 2018; Chen et al., 2022). Collectively, these studies show that activation of these receptors increased MB, rescue organ function, and restores mitochondrial homeostasis to baseline.

While the signaling pathways for MB have been studied, little is known about the mechanism that restores MB back to baseline. We hypothesized that mitophagy plays an important role in restoring mitochondrial homeostasis after pharmacological induction of MB in the renal proximal tubule.

2 Methods

2.1 Reagents

LY344864 was purchased from Tocris (Ellsville, MO, Cat# 24-511-0). ROC-325 was purchased from Selleck Chemical (Houston, TX, Cat# 1859141).

2.2 Isolation and culture of RPTCs

Female New Zealand White rabbits (1.8–2 kg) were purchased from Charles River (Oakwood, MI). RPTCs were isolated using the iron oxide perfusion method and grown in 35-mm tissue culture dishes under improved culture conditions similar to what is observed in vivo (Nowak and Schnellmann, 1995). The culture medium was a 1:1 mixture of DMEM-F-12 (without glucose, phenol red, or sodium pyruvate) supplemented with 15 mM HEPES buffer, 2.5 mM L-glutamine, 1 μM pyroxidine HCl, 15 mM sodium bicarbonate, and 6 mM lactate. Hydrocortisone (50 nM), selenium (5 ng/mL), human transferrin (5 μg/mL), bovine insulin (10 nM), and l-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate (50 μM) were added to fresh culture medium. Confluent RPTCs were used for all experiments as previously reported (Nowak and Schnellmann, 1995). All animal experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of Arizona.

2.3 Analysis of oxygen consumption

RPTC were plated and cultured in 96-well respiratory plates. 18,000 cells were seeded per well. Experiments were conducted on the fourth or sixth day after planting when cells had formed a confluent monolayer. The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of RPTCs was measured using the Seahorse Bioscience XF-96 Extracellular Flux Analyzer. Each 96-well assay plate was treated with vehicle (DMSO; <0.5%) or LY344864 at 10 nM as reported (Gibbs et al., 2018). Basal OCR was measured before injection of carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP; 2 μM) to measure the uncoupled OCR (FCCP-OCR), a marker of MB (Beeson et al., 2010).

2.4 Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis

Kidney cortex samples were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and then PBS (Thermo-Fisher Scientific; Waltham, MA; Cat# 50-366-997 & 13-151-014), stored overnight, and submitted to the TEM core facility at the University of Arizona. Images were obtained with a FEI Tecnai Spirit Transmission Electron Microscope (Hillsboro, OR) at 100 kV. TIFF images (8-bit) were captured with an XR41 CCD digital camera (Woburn, MA) at 6,000×. For all cases, 5–6 images were analyzed per sample and mitochondrial morphology per field were calculated. Each image represents 1-2 cells per field. Each field contained ∼30-80 mitochondria. Mitochondria length was obtained using the major axis as reported previously (Lam et al., 2021). TEM images were analyzed utilizing MathLab2020b software. Mitochondria lengths were obtained using the major axis. Autophagic vacuoles represented double membrane organelles with clear membranes and any undegraded cargo. Mitophagic vacuoles represented double membrane organelles with undegraded mitochondria exclusively as cargo.

2.5 Immunoblotting

Protein was extracted from kidney cortices using RIPA buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% SDS, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate, 1% Triton X-100, pH 7.4) with protease inhibitor cocktail (1:100 Millipore Sigma; Burlington, MA, Cat# P8340), 1 mM sodium fluoride, and 1 mM sodium orthovanadate (Thermo-Fisher Scientific; Waltham, MA; Cat# S299100 and AC205330500, respectively). Membranes were visualized using chemiluminescence (Thermo-Fisher Scientific; Waltham, MA; Cat# PI34076) on a GE ImageQuant LAS4000 (GE Life Sciences; Pittsburgh, PA). Optical density was quantified with ImageJ software. Primary antibodies were purchased from Abcam (Cambridge, MA): PGC-1α (1:1000, Cat # ab191838). NOVUS Biologicals (Centennia, CO): LC3B, (1:1000, Cat# NB6001384). Cell Signaling Technology (Danvers, MA): DRP1 (1:1,000, Cat#5391S), P62 (1:1,000, Cat#5114S), Phospho-AKT (Ser473) (1:1,000, Cat#4060S). AKT (1:1,000, Cat#9262S). Santa Cruz Biotechnology: Beta-actin (1:1,000, Cat#SC-47778). Secondary antibodies: Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG H&L (HRP) (1:10,000, Abcam, Cat# ab6721), Rabbit Anti-Mouse IgG H&L (HRP) (1:10,000, Abcam, Cat# 6728), and Donkey Anti-Goat IgG H&L (HRP) (1:10,000, Abcam, Cat# ab97110) were used as secondary antibodies. All antibodies were validated for their respective targets. See their respective websites using the provided catalog numbers for a detailed description of their validation processes.

2.6 Statistical analysis

For experimental groups (N = 4–6), RPTC from one animal represents an n = 1. Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA followed by a Tukey’s post-hoc test. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism software (La Jolla, CA) and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Different letters represent statistical differences between groups.

3 Results

3.1 Treatment with LY344864 increases mitochondrial respiration, phosphorylation of AKT, PGC-1α and mitochondrial number in RPTC and then decreases to baseline 24 h after removal

Previously, we showed that LY344864 (10 nM) increases the MB biomarkers, FCCP-OCR, mitochondrial proteins and mitochondrial DNA in RPTC after 24 h of treatment (Gibbs et al., 2018). LY344864 initiated the MB signaling pathway by the phosphorylation of AKT in serine 473 (Gibbs et al., 2018).

It is unknown if FCCP-OCR or the signaling pathway remained elevated after the removal of LY344864. Thus, we treated RPTC with LY344864 for 24h, measured FCCP-OCR, removed LY344864 and measured FCCP-OCR again. RPTC FCCP-OCR increased 15% at 24 h and decreased to control values 24 h after removal of LY344864 (Figure 1A). PGC-1α increased 36% at 24 h and decreased to control values 24 h after removal of LY344864 (Figures 1B, E). Dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1), master regulator or mitochondrial fission, did not change with LY344864 or after removal (Figures 1C, E). Phosphorylation of AKT increased 57% after 24 h of treatment and returned to baseline 24 h after the removal (Figures 1D, E), confirming the initiation of the signaling pathway. These data reveal that the MB signaling pathway and FCCP-OCR were activated by LY344864 and stopped by the removal.

FIGURE 1
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 1. Treatment with LY344864 increases FCCP-OCR levels, phosphorylation of AKT, and mitochondrial number and returns to baseline after 24 h of removal in RPTC. (A) FCCP-OCR levels analysis. (B) Densitometry analysis of PGC-1α. (C) Densitometry analysis of DRP1. (D) Densitometry analysis of p-AKT and AKT. (E) Representative immunoblots. (F) Representative electron micrographs. (G) Mitochondrial number. (H) Mitochondrial area (I) Mitochondrial length. Data represents n = 4–6 and are expressed as mean ± SEM; p < 0.05 compared by a one-way ANOVA (followed by a Dunnet’s post-hoc test). Different letters on top of bars represent different statistical significance. Scale bars represent 500 nm.

To document mitochondria number increase, electron microscopy was performed and mitochondria number and morphology measured after treatment with LY344864 and 24 h after its removal in RPTC. Quantitative electron micrograph analysis demonstrated mitochondria number per field increased by 51% in the LY344864 group compared to vehicle group after 24 h (Figures 1F, G). However, mitochondrial number per field was restored to baseline after 24 h of removal (Figures 1F, G). Mitochondrial area and mitochondrial length were not affected by LY344864 after the first 24 h or its removal (Figures 1F, H, I). These data demonstrate that MB occurs within 24 h and recedes to control levels in 24 h. DRP1 analysis and electron microscopy analysis confirmed the decreased mitochondrial number was not due to mitochondrial fission (Figures 1C, H, I).

3.2 ROC-325 induces accumulation of P62 and LC3B in RPTC

The main mechanism attributed to the degradation of excess whole mitochondria is mitophagy (Um and Yun, 2017; Swerdlow and Wilkins, 2020). We utilized an autophagy inhibitor (ROC-325) (Carew et al., 2017) to determine if the decrease in mitochondria is regulated by mitophagy. Numerous reports demonstrate increased P62 and LC3BII, key adaptors molecules that bind to cargo (e.g., mitochondria) for autophagosomal degradation, are a result of autophagy and mitophagy inhibition (Nawrocki et al., 2019; Maestro et al., 2022). A concentration response curve for ROC-325 in RPTC was performed to identify the optimal minimal concentration to inhibit autophagy and mitophagy. Immunoblot analysis revealed that P62 and LCBII increased 3-fold and 9-fold, respectively, at 10 μM of ROC-325 when added at the 24 h time point in RPTC (Figures 2A–C). We selected 10 μM ROC-325 for all further experiments.

FIGURE 2
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 2. ROC-325 induces accumulation of P62 and LC3B in RPTC. (A) Densitometry analysis of P62. (B) Densitometry analysis of LC3B. (C) Representative immunoblots. Data represents n = 6 and are expressed as mean ± SEM; p < 0.05 compared by a one-way ANOVA (followed by a Dunnet’s post-hoc test). Different letters on top of bars represent different statistical significance.

3.3 ROC-325 maintains elevated mitochondrial number after 24 h removal of LY344864 in RPTC

Mitochondria number returns to baseline 24 h after the removal of LY344864. To explore the role of mitophagy, RPTC were pretreated with LY344864 for 24h, LY344864 was removed, and treated with ROC-325 for 24 h. Electron micrographs quantitative analysis revealed that LY344864 increased mitochondria number per field by 52% compared to vehicle (Figures 3A, B). Mitochondrial number per field (Figures 3A, B) after ROC-325 for 24 h remained elevated. All groups showed similar mitochondrial area and length, independent of treatment (Figures 3A, C, D).

FIGURE 3
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 3. ROC-325 maintains elevated mitochondrial number after 24 h removal of LY344864 in RPTC. (A) Representative electron micrographs. (B) Mitochondrial number. (C) Mitochondrial area (D) Mitochondrial length. Data represents n = 5 and are expressed as mean ± SEM; p < 0.05 compared by a one-way ANOVA (followed by a Dunnet’s post-hoc test). Different letters on top of bars represent different statistical significance. Scale bars represent 500 nm.

3.4 ROC-325 increases the number of autophagic vacuoles after 24 h removal of LY344864 in RPTC

To determine the effect of ROC-325 on mitophagy after MB, we treated RPTC with ROC-325 for 24 h following LY344864 removal. Pharmacological treatment with ROC-325 is characterized by increased number of autophagic vacuoles with undegraded cargo (Nawrocki et al., 2019). We observed a 4-fold increase number of autophagic vacuoles, represented by double membrane organelles with undegraded cargo, after 24 h of treatment with ROC-325 (Figures 4A, B). Mitophagic vacuoles are double membrane organelles with undegraded mitochondria exclusively as cargo, also increased 4-fold with ROC-325 treatment compared to vehicle (Figures 4A, C). These results indicate ROC-325 inhibits autophagy following LY344864 removal.

FIGURE 4
www.frontiersin.org

FIGURE 4. ROC-325 increases the number of autophagic and mitophagic vacuoles and accumulation of LC3Band P62 after 24 h removal of LY344864 in RPTC. (A) Representative electron micrographs. (B) Autophagic vacuoles number. (C) Mitophagic vacuoles number. (D) LC3B densitometry analysis. (E) P62 densitometry analysis. (F) Representative immunoblots. Data represents n = 5 and are expressed as mean ± SEM; p < 0.05 compared by a one-way ANOVA (followed by a Dunnet’s post-hoc test). Red arrows point at autophagic vacuole. Black arrows point at mitochondria. Different letters on top of bars represent different statistical significance. Scale bars represent 500 nm.

As mentioned before, increased LC3BII and P62 indicate inhibition of autophagy. Immunoblot analyses were performed to study accumulation of LC3BII and P62 after 24 h treatment with ROC-325 following LY344864 removal. LC3BII increased 2-fold and P62 2.5-fold, respectively, after 24 h of treatment with ROC-325 following LY344864 removal (Figures 4D–F). Taken together, these data support the idea that autophagy inhibition is linked to persistent elevated mitochondrial number.

4 Discussion

MB induction can be characterized by increased mitochondrial number, mitochondrial respiration, and mitochondrial gene expression (Popov, 2020). Work from our group showed that LY344864, a HTR1F agonist, increased MB in vitro and in vivo (Garrett et al., 2014; Gibbs et al., 2018). In addition, our group reported that LY346864 treatment increased MB and accelerated recovery after spinal cord injury and AKI in mice (Garrett et al., 2014; Simmons et al., 2020). LY344864 has an 80-fold higher selectivity for the HTR1F than any other 5-HT receptor and has been shown to decrease neurogenic dural inflammation, a characteristic of neurovascular type headaches, after intravenous and oral administration in rats (Phebus et al., 1997; Goadsby and Classey, 2003; Murray et al., 2011). Ultimately, LY344864 development was ceased for toxicity.

Here, we report not only increased mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial number per field following LY344864 treatment in RPTC, but also the duration of this pharmacological increase of MB. Expression of MB markers were restored to control levels in RPTCs 24 h after the treatment of LY344864 was removed. These results suggest that RPTC rapidly regulates mitochondria density and function to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis.

Mitochondrial quality control mechanisms are tightly regulated to preserve mitochondrial homeostasis and alterations such as decreased MB, excessive fission, and impaired mitophagy are characteristics of many reno-pathologies (Garrett et al., 2014; Bhargava and Schnellmann, 2017; Cleveland and Schnellmann, 2023a; Hurtado et al., 2023b). Pharmacologically targeting of these mitochondrial mechanisms may support kidney recovery from injury or disease (Bhargava and Schnellmann, 2017; Tang et al., 2018; Bhatia and Choi, 2019; Cote et al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2021; Cleveland and Schnellmann, 2023a). However, the crosstalk among mitochondrial quality control mechanisms to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis has not been extensively studied. The goal of this study was to elucidate the mechanism that restores mitochondrial number back to baseline after LY344864 removal.

Mitophagy is a cellular process that can regulate the mitochondrial density in a cell (Wang et al., 2020). During mitophagy, whole mitochondria are engulfed by double membrane vacuoles called autophagosomes. The vacuoles packaged with mitochondria are then fused with lysosomes and degraded (Kobayashi et al., 2020; Zuo et al., 2020). The autophagy inhibitor ROC-325 is reported to prevent the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes, increasing vacuoles with undegraded cargo, and increasing autophagy/mitophagy adaptor modulators P62 and LC3B in vitro (Nawrocki et al., 2019; Gureev et al., 2020). Our results demonstrate that ROC-325 treatment maintained mitochondria number after removing the upstream stimulus, LY344864. Furthermore, P62 and LC3B, markers of mitophagy, accumulated with ROC-325 treatment in RPTC. TEM confirmed autophagosomes with undegraded cargo (autophagic vacuoles). Also, TEM confirmed autophagosomes with undegraded mitochondria (mitophagic vacuoles). These data suggest that ROC-325 treatment decreased fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes, resulting in decreased degradation of mitochondrial mass. Importantly, RPTC that were treated with LY344864 and then treated with ROC-325 had autophagosomes with a higher density of mitochondria compared to vehicle group (Figure 4A). These findings explain the remaining elevated mitochondria number (Figures 3A, B) This suggests that inhibition of mitophagy prevents the restoration of density of mitochondria after the removal of LY344864 in RPTC.

To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the role of mitophagy as a mitochondrial homeostatic mechanism following MB treatment in the kidney. While several mechanisms play a role in mitochondrial homeostasis, these findings identify mitophagy as a key regulator following MB treatment.

Data availability statement

The raw data supporting the conclusion of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

Ethics statement

The animal study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of Arizona. The study was conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements.

Author contributions

KH: Data curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. RS: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Resources, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing–review and editing.

Funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was funded by VA Merit Grant BX000851 and T32 ES007091.

Acknowledgments

We thank the University of Arizona Animal Facility for Animal Care and the University of Arizona Imaging Core—Electron (RRID: SCR_023279) members, Dr. Paula Tonino for the electron microscopy sample preparation.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

References

Adebayo, M., Singh, S., Singh, A. P., and Dasgupta, S. (2021). Mitochondrial fusion and fission: the fine-tune balance for cellular homeostasis. FASEB J. 35 (6), e21620. doi:10.1096/fj.202100067R

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Beeson, C. C., Beeson, G. C., and Schnellmann, R. G. (2010). A high-throughput respirometric assay for mitochondrial biogenesis and toxicity. Anal. Biochem. 404 (1), 75–81. doi:10.1016/j.ab.2010.04.040

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Bhargava, P., and Schnellmann, R. G. (2017). Mitochondrial energetics in the kidney. Nat. Rev. Nephrol. 13 (10), 629–646. doi:10.1038/nrneph.2017.107

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Bhatia, D., and Choi, M. E. (2019). The emerging role of mitophagy in kidney diseases. J. Life Sci. (Westlake Village) 1 (3), 13–22. doi:10.36069/jols/20191203

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Bragoszewski, P., Turek, M., and Chacinska, A. (2017). Control of mitochondrial biogenesis and function by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Open Biol. 7 (4), 170007. doi:10.1098/rsob.170007

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Carew, J. S., Espitia, C. M., Zhao, W., Han, Y., Visconte, V., Phillips, J., et al. (2017). Disruption of autophagic degradation with ROC-325 antagonizes renal cell carcinoma pathogenesis. Clin. Cancer Res. 23 (11), 2869–2879. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-16-1742

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Che, R., Yuan, Y., Huang, S., and Zhang, A. (2014). Mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of renal diseases. Am. J. Physiol. Ren. Physiol. 306 (4), F367–F378. doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00571.2013

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Chen, L., Qin, Y., Liu, B., Gao, M., Li, A., Li, X., et al. (2022). PGC-1α-Mediated mitochondrial quality control: molecular mechanisms and implications for heart failure. Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 10, 871357. doi:10.3389/fcell.2022.871357

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Cleveland, K. H., and Schnellmann, R. G. (2023a). Pharmacological targeting of mitochondria in diabetic kidney disease. Pharmacol. Rev. 75 (2), 250–262. doi:10.1124/pharmrev.122.000560

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Cleveland, K. H., and Schnellmann, R. G. (2023b). The β2-adrenergic receptor agonist formoterol restores mitochondrial homeostasis in glucose-induced renal proximal tubule injury through separate integrated pathways. Biochem. Pharmacol. 209, 115436. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115436

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Cote, J. M., Murray, P. T., and Rosner, M. H. (2020). New drugs for acute kidney injury. Curr. Opin. Crit. Care 26 (6), 525–535. doi:10.1097/MCC.0000000000000778

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Finck, B. N., and Kelly, D. P. (2006). PGC-1 coactivators: inducible regulators of energy metabolism in health and disease. J. Clin. Invest. 116 (3), 615–622. doi:10.1172/JCI27794

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Garrett, S. M., Whitaker, R. M., Beeson, C. C., and Schnellmann, R. G. (2014). Agonism of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1F receptor promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and recovery from acute kidney injury. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 350 (2), 257–264. doi:10.1124/jpet.114.214700

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Gibbs, W. S., Garrett, S. M., Beeson, C. C., and Schnellmann, R. G. (2018). Identification of dual mechanisms mediating 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1F-induced mitochondrial biogenesis. Am. J. Physiol. Ren. Physiol. 314 (2), F260–F268. doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00324.2017

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Gibbs, W. S., Weber, R. A., Schnellmann, R. G., and Adkins, D. L. (2016). Disrupted mitochondrial genes and inflammation following stroke. Life Sci. 166, 139–148. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2016.09.021

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Goadsby, P. J., and Classey, J. D. (2003). Evidence for serotonin (5-HT)1B, 5-HT1D and 5-HT1F receptor inhibitory effects on trigeminal neurons with craniovascular input. Neuroscience 122 (2), 491–498. doi:10.1016/s0306-4522(03)00570-0

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Gureev, A. P., Sadovnikova, I. S., Starkov, N. N., Starkov, A. A., and Popov, V. N. (2020). p62-Nrf2-p62 mitophagy regulatory loop as a target for preventive therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. Brain Sci. 10 (11), 847. doi:10.3390/brainsci10110847

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Halling, J. F., and Pilegaard, H. (2020). PGC-1α-mediated regulation of mitochondrial function and physiological implications. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 45 (9), 927–936. doi:10.1139/apnm-2020-0005

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Hurtado, K. A., Janda, J., and Schnellmann, R. G. (2023a). Lasmiditan promotes recovery from acute kidney injury through induction of mitochondrial biogenesis. Am. J. Physiol. Ren. Physiol. 324 (1), F56–F63. doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00249.2022

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Hurtado, K. A., Janda, J., and Schnellmann, R. G. (2023b). Lasmiditan restores mitochondrial quality control mechanisms and accelerates renal recovery after ischemia-reperfusion injury. Biochem. Pharmacol. 218, 115855. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115855

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Ishihara, M., Urushido, M., Hamada, K., Matsumoto, T., Shimamura, Y., Ogata, K., et al. (2013). Sestrin-2 and BNIP3 regulate autophagy and mitophagy in renal tubular cells in acute kidney injury. Am. J. Physiol. Ren. Physiol. 305 (4), F495–F509. doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00642.2012

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Jornayvaz, F. R., and Shulman, G. I. (2010). Regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis. Essays Biochem. 47, 69–84. doi:10.1042/bse0470069

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Kobayashi, S., Zhao, F., Zhang, Z., Kobayashi, T., Huang, Y., Shi, B., et al. (2020). Mitochondrial fission and mitophagy coordinately restrict high glucose toxicity in cardiomyocytes. Front. Physiol. 11, 604069. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.604069

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Lam, J., Katti, P., Biete, M., Mungai, M., AshShareef, S., Neikirk, K., et al. (2021). A universal approach to analyzing transmission electron microscopy with ImageJ. Cells 10 (9), 2177. doi:10.3390/cells10092177

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Lira, V. A., Benton, C. R., Yan, Z., and Bonen, A. (2010). PGC-1alpha regulation by exercise training and its influences on muscle function and insulin sensitivity. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 299 (2), E145–E161. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00755.2009

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Lira, V. A., Okutsu, M., Zhang, M., Greene, N. P., Laker, R. C., Breen, D. S., et al. (2013). Autophagy is required for exercise training-induced skeletal muscle adaptation and improvement of physical performance. FASEB J. 27 (10), 4184–4193. doi:10.1096/fj.13-228486

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Livingston, M. J., Wang, J., Zhou, J., Wu, G., Ganley, I. G., Hill, J. A., et al. (2019). Clearance of damaged mitochondria via mitophagy is important to the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning in kidneys. Autophagy 15 (12), 2142–2162. doi:10.1080/15548627.2019.1615822

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Lynch, M. R., Tran, M. T., and Parikh, S. M. (2018). PGC1α in the kidney. Am. J. Physiol. Ren. Physiol. 314 (1), F1–F8. doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00263.2017

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Ma, H., Guo, X., Cui, S., Wu, Y., Zhang, Y., Shen, X., et al. (2022). Dephosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase exacerbates ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury via mitochondrial dysfunction. Kidney Int. 101 (2), 315–330. doi:10.1016/j.kint.2021.10.028

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Maestro, I., de la Ballina, L. R., Porras, G., Corrochano, S., De Lago, E., Simonsen, A., et al. (2022). Discovery of mitophagy inhibitors with therapeutic potential in different familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mutations. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23 (20), 12676. doi:10.3390/ijms232012676

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Murray, K. C., Stephens, M. J., Rank, M., D'Amico, J., Gorassini, M. A., and Bennett, D. J. (2011). Polysynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials that trigger spasms after spinal cord injury in rats are inhibited by 5-HT1B and 5-HT1F receptors. J. Neurophysiol. 106 (2), 925–943. doi:10.1152/jn.01011.2010

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Nawrocki, S. T., Han, Y., Visconte, V., Przychodzen, B., Espitia, C. M., Phillips, J., et al. (2019). The novel autophagy inhibitor ROC-325 augments the antileukemic activity of azacitidine. Leukemia 33 (12), 2971–2974. doi:10.1038/s41375-019-0529-2

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Ni, H. M., Williams, J. A., and Ding, W. X. (2015). Mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial quality control. Redox Biol. 4, 6–13. doi:10.1016/j.redox.2014.11.006

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Nowak, G., and Schnellmann, R. G. (1995). Improved culture conditions stimulate gluconeogenesis in primary cultures of renal proximal tubule cells. Am. J. Physiol. 268 (4), C1053–C1061. doi:10.1152/ajpcell.1995.268.4.C1053

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Osellame, L. D., Blacker, T. S., and Duchen, M. R. (2012). Cellular and molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial function. Best. Pract. Res. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 26 (6), 711–723. doi:10.1016/j.beem.2012.05.003

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Parikh, S. M., Yang, Y., He, L., Tang, C., Zhan, M., and Dong, Z. (2015). Mitochondrial function and disturbances in the septic kidney. Semin. Nephrol. 35 (1), 108–119. doi:10.1016/j.semnephrol.2015.01.011

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Phebus, L. A., Johnson, K. W., Zgombick, J. M., Gilbert, P. J., Van Belle, K., Mancuso, V., et al. (1997). Characterization of LY344864 as a pharmacological tool to study 5-HT1F receptors: binding affinities, brain penetration and activity in the neurogenic dural inflammation model of migraine. Life Sci. 61 (21), 2117–2126. doi:10.1016/s0024-3205(97)00885-0

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Picca, A., Mankowski, R. T., Burman, J. L., Donisi, L., Kim, J. S., Marzetti, E., et al. (2018). Mitochondrial quality control mechanisms as molecular targets in cardiac ageing. Nat. Rev. Cardiol. 15 (9), 543–554. doi:10.1038/s41569-018-0059-z

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Popov, L. D. (2020). Mitochondrial biogenesis: an update. J. Cell Mol. Med. 24 (9), 4892–4899. doi:10.1111/jcmm.15194

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Ravanelli, S., den Brave, F., and Hoppe, T. (2020). Mitochondrial quality control governed by ubiquitin. Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 8, 270. doi:10.3389/fcell.2020.00270

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Scholpa, N. E., Lynn, M. K., Corum, D., Boger, H. A., and Schnellmann, R. G. (2018). 5-HT(1F) receptor-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Br. J. Pharmacol. 175 (2), 348–358. doi:10.1111/bph.14076

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Scholz, H., Boivin, F. J., Schmidt-Ott, K. M., Bachmann, S., Eckardt, K. U., Scholl, U. I., et al. (2021). Kidney physiology and susceptibility to acute kidney injury: implications for renoprotection. Nat. Rev. Nephrol. 17 (5), 335–349. doi:10.1038/s41581-021-00394-7

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Schulte, U., den Brave, F., Haupt, A., Gupta, A., Song, J., Muller, C. S., et al. (2023). Mitochondrial complexome reveals quality-control pathways of protein import. Nature 614 (7946), 153–159. doi:10.1038/s41586-022-05641-w

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Simmons, E. C., Scholpa, N. E., Cleveland, K. H., and Schnellmann, R. G. (2020). 5-hydroxytryptamine 1F receptor agonist induces mitochondrial biogenesis and promotes recovery from spinal cord injury. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 372 (2), 216–223. doi:10.1124/jpet.119.262410

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Simmons, E. C., Scholpa, N. E., and Schnellmann, R. G. (2021). FDA-approved 5-HT(1F) receptor agonist lasmiditan induces mitochondrial biogenesis and enhances locomotor and blood-spinal cord barrier recovery after spinal cord injury. Exp. Neurol. 341, 113720. doi:10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113720

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Swerdlow, N. S., and Wilkins, H. M. (2020). Mitophagy and the brain. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 21 (24), 9661. doi:10.3390/ijms21249661

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Tang, C., Cai, J., Yin, X. M., Weinberg, J. M., Venkatachalam, M. A., and Dong, Z. (2021). Mitochondrial quality control in kidney injury and repair. Nat. Rev. Nephrol. 17 (5), 299–318. doi:10.1038/s41581-020-00369-0

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Tang, C., Han, H., Yan, M., Zhu, S., Liu, J., Liu, Z., et al. (2018). PINK1-PRKN/PARK2 pathway of mitophagy is activated to protect against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Autophagy 14 (5), 880–897. doi:10.1080/15548627.2017.1405880

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Um, J. H., and Yun, J. (2017). Emerging role of mitophagy in human diseases and physiology. BMB Rep. 50 (6), 299–307. doi:10.5483/bmbrep.2017.50.6.056

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Wang, Y., Cai, J., Tang, C., and Dong, Z. (2020). Mitophagy in acute kidney injury and kidney repair. Cells 9 (2), 338. doi:10.3390/cells9020338

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Youle, R. J., and van der Bliek, A. M. (2012). Mitochondrial fission, fusion, and stress. Science 337 (6098), 1062–1065. doi:10.1126/science.1219855

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zhang, X., Agborbesong, E., and Li, X. (2021). The role of mitochondria in acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease and its therapeutic potential. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22 (20), 11253. doi:10.3390/ijms222011253

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Zuo, Z., Jing, K., Wu, H., Wang, S., Ye, L., Li, Z., et al. (2020). Mechanisms and functions of mitophagy and potential roles in renal disease. Front. Physiol. 11, 935. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00935

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Keywords: mitochondrial biogenesis, mitophagy, proximal tubule, autophagy, HTR1F

Citation: Hurtado KA and Schnellmann RG (2024) Mitophagy regulates mitochondrial number following pharmacological induction of mitochondrial biogenesis in renal proximal tubule cells. Front. Pharmacol. 15:1344075. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1344075

Received: 24 November 2023; Accepted: 08 January 2024;
Published: 05 February 2024.

Edited by:

Rahul Sharma, University of Virginia, United States

Reviewed by:

Navjot Pabla, The Ohio State University, United States
Divya Bhatia, NewYork-Presbyterian, United States

Copyright © 2024 Hurtado and Schnellmann. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Rick G. Schnellmann, schnell@pharmacy.arizona.edu

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.