BACKGROUND: Maintenance of the integrity of the vascular endothelium is a critical issue in liver preservation, but @entity2332 , applied for cellular protection, induces apoptotic cell death in liver endothelial cells. This cold-induced apoptosis is mediated by an @entity68 -dependent formation of reactive @entity26 species. Here, we study the involvement of mitochondria in this process. METHODS: Cultured @entity35 liver endothelial cells were incubated in cold University of Wisconsin solution for 18 hr and subsequently rewarmed in cell culture medium. Mitochondrial morphology and membrane potential were evaluated using laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: During cold incubation in University of Wisconsin solution, a marked, progressive mitochondrial shortening and a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential occurred. Rewarming of the cells led to mitochondrial ultracondensation, complete loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and subsequent apoptotic cell death. The inhibitors of mitochondrial permeability transition, @entity6105 and @entity948 , or @entity68 chelation with @entity5532 did not affect mitochondrial shortening during cold incubation but inhibited ultracondensation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and loss of viability during rewarming. Moreover, in these protected cells, an almost complete reestablishment of the mitochondrial membrane potential and morphology could be observed; the few mitochondria that were irreversibly damaged were incorporated into autophagosomes during cellular recovery. CONCLUSION: Two apparently independent mitochondrial alterations take place during cold incubation and subsequent rewarming of liver endothelial cells. Cold-induced mitochondrial shortening represents a reversible process, whereas @entity68 -mediated mitochondrial permeability transition and ultracondensation during rewarming are irreversible and constitute an important mediator of cold-induced apoptosis.

Cold-induced apoptosis of XXXX liver endothelial cells: contribution of mitochondrial alterations.

@entity5532 :: ('MESH:D003676', 'Chemical') :: ['deferoxamine'] @entity68 :: ('MESH:D007501', 'Chemical') :: ['iron'] @entity948 :: ('MESH:D005632', 'Chemical') :: ['fructose'] @entity26 :: ('MESH:D010100', 'Chemical') :: ['oxygen'] @entity6105 :: ('MESH:D014268', 'Chemical') :: ['trifluoperazine'] @entity35 :: ('10116', 'Species') :: ['rat'] @entity2332 :: ('MESH:D007035', 'Disease') :: ['hypothermia']
@entity35 :: (10116,Species) :: ['rat']
