# Melatonin Attenuates Cardiac Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury through Modulation of IP3R-Mediated Mitochondria-ER Contact

Authors: Wenya Li; Botao Liu; Lin Wang; Jilie Liu; Xiuhui Yang; Jia Zheng
Journal: Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
 (2021)

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## Abstract

Although the interplay between mitochondria and ER has been identified as a crucial regulator of cellular homeostasis, the pathogenic impact of alterations in mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCS) during myocardial postischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury remains incompletely understood. Therefore, in our study, we explored the beneficial role played by melatonin in protecting cardiomyocytes against reperfusion injury via stabilizing mitochondria-ER interaction.In vitro exposure of H9C2 rat cardiomyocytes to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) augmented mitochondrial ROS synthesis, suppressed both mitochondrial potential and ATP generation, and increased the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening rate. Furthermore, H/R exposure upregulated the protein content of CHOP and caspase-12, two markers of ER stress, and enhanced the transcription of main MERCS tethering proteins, namely, Fis1, BAP31, Mfn2, and IP3R. Interestingly, all the above changes could be attenuated or reversed by melatonin treatment. Suggesting that melatonin-induced cardioprotection works through normalization of mitochondria-ER interaction, overexpression of IP3R abolished the protective actions offered by melatonin on mitochondria-ER fitness. These results expand our knowledge on the cardioprotective actions of melatonin during myocardial postischemic reperfusion damage and suggest that novel, more effective treatments for acute myocardial reperfusion injury might be achieved through modulation of mitochondria-ER interaction in cardiac cells.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Reperfusion strategies such as internal thrombolysis and surgery are used for the clinical management of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to salvage the damaged myocardium [1–3]. However, after sustained myocardial ischemia, reperfusion is also associated with additional damage to the myocardium, a phenomenon called myocardial postischemic reperfusion (I/R) damage [4–6]. Indeed, myocardial reperfusion damage is a condition initiated at the stage of ischemia and amplified during the reperfusion period [7, 8]. Although several approaches can effectively treat myocardial ischemia, current treatments to attenuate myocardial stress during reperfusion damage show limited success. This is largely due to insufficient knowledge about the pathogenic mechanisms underlying cardiac I/R injury, which include protein oxidative modification, DNA damage, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction, cell membrane rupture, mitochondrial apoptosis, ATP stress, cellular calcium overload, and cardiomyocyte necroptosis.Over the last two decades, specialized structures called mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCS) have been identified as critical regulators of cellular homeostasis by controlling tethering dynamics and Ca2+ transfer between the two organelles [4, 9]. Under physiological conditions, regulated Ca2+ transfer from ER to mitochondria promotes oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and sustains mitochondrial bioenergetics by stimulating the synthesis of ATP [10, 11]. Under pathological conditions, however, abnormal mitochondrial calcium overload induces the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), a mitochondria-regulated cell death pathway [12, 13]. Moreover, the mitochondria-ER interaction also influences mitochondrial ROS production, which constitutes a main trigger of oxidative stress upon excess generation secondary to dysregulated activity of mitochondrial respiratory complexes and impaired OXPHOS [14, 15]. Furthermore, abnormal ER-mitochondria interaction impairs mitochondrial morphology and turnover, affecting normal fission/fusion cycles, and reduces mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) to precipitate mitochondrial failure [16–18]. Interestingly, ER homeostasis is also compromised by deficiencies in MERCS, giving rise to ER dysfunction and the ensuing abnormal protein adaptive response [19–22]. Still, despite its potential significance for cardioprotection, the role of mitochondria-ER interaction during myocardial postischemic reperfusion damage remains incompletely understood.Several cardioprotective drugs, including endogenous and natural compounds, have been successfully tested in mouse models of cardiac I/R injury [23–26]. Melatonin is widely used for the treatment of insomnia and sleep disorders underlying different medical conditions. Notably, recent studies have reported the cardioprotective effects of melatonin in various cardiovascular disorders [27–32]. For example, preclinical data showed that melatonin alleviates hyperglycemia-mediated cardiomyocyte damage through improving Sirt6-dependent mitochondrial quality control [33] and attenuates myocardial infarction by stimulating cardiomyocyte proliferation via the miRNA-regulated Ctnnd1 pathway [34]. Melatonin was shown to reduce the incidence of myocardial damage in Alzheimer’s disease through modulation of cGAS-STING-TBK1-mediated mitophagy [35] and to inhibit abnormal calcium accumulation in aortic valve through the circ-RNA-mediated-DPP4 pathway [36]. Although ample evidence supports the beneficial impact of melatonin on myocardial postischemic reperfusion damage, the influence of melatonin on mitochondria-ER interaction has not been investigated. Based on this, we set experiments to illuminate whether melatonin reduces cardiac I/R injury through normalization of MERCS.


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Cell Culture, H/R Protocol, and Melatonin Treatment

H9C2 cells were obtained from Lonza, Allendale, NJ, USA (Cat. No.: CC-2527), and used for all cell experiments. H9C2 cells were maintained in DMEM high-glucose medium with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS; AusGeneX, Brisbane, Australia) in a humidified incubator with 5% CO2 at 37°C [37]. Hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) was applied to cultured H9C2 cells by sequential induction of hypoxia (45 min) and reoxygenation (2 h) prior to downstream analyses [38].


### 2.2. qPCR for mRNA Expression Detection

Total RNA was isolated using TRIzol reagent (ThermoFisher Scientific, Cat No. 15596026). RNA was quantified, and quality was determined by using BioDrop (Biochrom, UK) [39, 40]. Total RNA (1 μg) was reverse transcribed and real-time PCR analysis using Fast SYBRTM Green Master Mix (Applied Biosystems, Cat No. 4385612) [41], and each measurement was carried out in duplicate through a CFX384 real time on Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Real-Time PCR Systems [42, 43]. The expression level was normalized to GAPDH, and three independent amplifications were performed for each sample in each technique [44, 45].


### 2.3. Mitochondrial Potential Observation and Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Detection

Mitochondrial potential was observed through immunofluorescence using a JC-1 mitochondrial potential assay kit (C2006, Beyotime, Shanghai, China) [46, 47]. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production was detected as previously described using an ATP fluorometric assay kit (K354, BioVision, Milpitas, CA, USA) [48].


### 2.4. IP3R Overexpression

H9C2 cells were transfected at passage 4-6 using Santa Cruz transfection reagent or Amaxa electroporation as described [49, 50]. One day before transfection, the media were changed to an antibiotic-free medium. Transfection of IP3R adenovirus (IP3R/Ad) was carried out using Lipofectamine 2000 [51].


### 2.5. Mitochondrial Complex Activity Measurements

Mitochondrial complex I enzyme activity was determined using a microplate colorimetric assay kit (ab109721, Abcam, Cambridge, MA, USA) with purified mitochondria (ab110168, Abcam) [52]. Data were presented as fold alteration relative to control [53].


### 2.6. Cell Viability Assay

MTT for cell viability analysis is based on the fact that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can dissolve water-insoluble blue purple crystal formazan in cells which was generated by exogenous MTT to water-insoluble blue purple crystal formazan [54, 55]. The optical absorption value of formazan was further measured at 490 nm wavelength by microplate analyzer. According to the measured absorbance value (OD value), the number of living cells can be judged [56].


### 2.7. Immunofluorescence

H9C2 cells were cultured with ice-cold 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) solution. Blocking was conducted using 5% normal goat serum supplemented with 1% bovine serum albumin in TBS (0.2 M Tris base, 1.5 M NaCl) for 2 h at room temperature. For vWF staining, cell sections were incubated with antibody overnight. Sections were washed and incubated with Alexa-Fluor 594 secondary Donkey anti-Sheep antibody at a dilution of 1 : 250 (ThermoFisher Scientific, Cat No. A-11016) at room temperature for 1 h [57]. Then, we used anti-GFP antibody at a dilution of 1 : 50 (Abcam, rabbit polyclonal antibody Cat No. ab6556) followed by secondary goat anti-rabbit IgG, Alexa Flour-488 at dilution 1 : 200 (ThermoFisher Scientific, Cat No. R37116) to stain samples. DAPI (ThermoFisher Scientific, Cat No. D-1306) at dilution 1 : 1000 was used for nuclei staining [58]. The results were collected under an inverted laser scanning confocal microscope. Representative images shown in the figures were selected to most accurately match the quantitative analysis. Regions were selected randomly to avoid biasing [59]..


### 2.8. Western Blot Analysis

H9C2 cells were pelleted and lysed in IP buffer complemented with a protease and phosphatase inhibitor cocktail (ThermoFisher) [60]. Proteins were separated by 4-10% standard SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and were transferred electrophoretically onto a PVDF membrane using Trans-Blot Turbo Transfer system (Bio-Rad) [61]. Blots were probed with polyclonal antibodies overnight at 4°C. Clathrin (BD Biosciences) was used as an endogenous control. A chemiluminescence reagent was used to develop the images [62]. The density of the target protein band was normalized to GAPDH. Each experiment was repeated three times [63].


### 2.9. Statistical Analysis

The statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism version 8.0. We assume normality for all the tests relying on the central limit theorem. Normally distributed data were expressed asmean±SD. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.


## 2.1. Cell Culture, H/R Protocol, and Melatonin Treatment

H9C2 cells were obtained from Lonza, Allendale, NJ, USA (Cat. No.: CC-2527), and used for all cell experiments. H9C2 cells were maintained in DMEM high-glucose medium with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS; AusGeneX, Brisbane, Australia) in a humidified incubator with 5% CO2 at 37°C [37]. Hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) was applied to cultured H9C2 cells by sequential induction of hypoxia (45 min) and reoxygenation (2 h) prior to downstream analyses [38].


## 2.2. qPCR for mRNA Expression Detection

Total RNA was isolated using TRIzol reagent (ThermoFisher Scientific, Cat No. 15596026). RNA was quantified, and quality was determined by using BioDrop (Biochrom, UK) [39, 40]. Total RNA (1 μg) was reverse transcribed and real-time PCR analysis using Fast SYBRTM Green Master Mix (Applied Biosystems, Cat No. 4385612) [41], and each measurement was carried out in duplicate through a CFX384 real time on Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Real-Time PCR Systems [42, 43]. The expression level was normalized to GAPDH, and three independent amplifications were performed for each sample in each technique [44, 45].


## 2.3. Mitochondrial Potential Observation and Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Detection

Mitochondrial potential was observed through immunofluorescence using a JC-1 mitochondrial potential assay kit (C2006, Beyotime, Shanghai, China) [46, 47]. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production was detected as previously described using an ATP fluorometric assay kit (K354, BioVision, Milpitas, CA, USA) [48].


## 2.4. IP3R Overexpression

H9C2 cells were transfected at passage 4-6 using Santa Cruz transfection reagent or Amaxa electroporation as described [49, 50]. One day before transfection, the media were changed to an antibiotic-free medium. Transfection of IP3R adenovirus (IP3R/Ad) was carried out using Lipofectamine 2000 [51].


## 2.5. Mitochondrial Complex Activity Measurements

Mitochondrial complex I enzyme activity was determined using a microplate colorimetric assay kit (ab109721, Abcam, Cambridge, MA, USA) with purified mitochondria (ab110168, Abcam) [52]. Data were presented as fold alteration relative to control [53].


## 2.6. Cell Viability Assay

MTT for cell viability analysis is based on the fact that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can dissolve water-insoluble blue purple crystal formazan in cells which was generated by exogenous MTT to water-insoluble blue purple crystal formazan [54, 55]. The optical absorption value of formazan was further measured at 490 nm wavelength by microplate analyzer. According to the measured absorbance value (OD value), the number of living cells can be judged [56].


## 2.7. Immunofluorescence

H9C2 cells were cultured with ice-cold 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) solution. Blocking was conducted using 5% normal goat serum supplemented with 1% bovine serum albumin in TBS (0.2 M Tris base, 1.5 M NaCl) for 2 h at room temperature. For vWF staining, cell sections were incubated with antibody overnight. Sections were washed and incubated with Alexa-Fluor 594 secondary Donkey anti-Sheep antibody at a dilution of 1 : 250 (ThermoFisher Scientific, Cat No. A-11016) at room temperature for 1 h [57]. Then, we used anti-GFP antibody at a dilution of 1 : 50 (Abcam, rabbit polyclonal antibody Cat No. ab6556) followed by secondary goat anti-rabbit IgG, Alexa Flour-488 at dilution 1 : 200 (ThermoFisher Scientific, Cat No. R37116) to stain samples. DAPI (ThermoFisher Scientific, Cat No. D-1306) at dilution 1 : 1000 was used for nuclei staining [58]. The results were collected under an inverted laser scanning confocal microscope. Representative images shown in the figures were selected to most accurately match the quantitative analysis. Regions were selected randomly to avoid biasing [59]..


## 2.8. Western Blot Analysis

H9C2 cells were pelleted and lysed in IP buffer complemented with a protease and phosphatase inhibitor cocktail (ThermoFisher) [60]. Proteins were separated by 4-10% standard SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and were transferred electrophoretically onto a PVDF membrane using Trans-Blot Turbo Transfer system (Bio-Rad) [61]. Blots were probed with polyclonal antibodies overnight at 4°C. Clathrin (BD Biosciences) was used as an endogenous control. A chemiluminescence reagent was used to develop the images [62]. The density of the target protein band was normalized to GAPDH. Each experiment was repeated three times [63].


## 2.9. Statistical Analysis

The statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism version 8.0. We assume normality for all the tests relying on the central limit theorem. Normally distributed data were expressed asmean±SD. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.


## 3. Results

### 3.1. Melatonin Attenuates Mitochondrial Damage in Cardiomyocytes Exposed to Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury

To mimic myocardial postischemic reperfusion damagein vivo, cultured H9C2 cells were exposed to a 45 min hypoxia, 2-hour reoxygenation (H/R) protocol in the presence or absence of melatonin. Mitochondrial damage was then assessed by measuring ROS production in living cells. As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), compared to normoxic control cells, increased mitochondrial ROS production was observed in H/R-treated cells. In contrast, H/R-evoked ROS augmentation was significantly attenuated in melatonin-treated cells. Similarly, another key parameter of mitochondrial function, namely, MMP, was significantly decreased by H/R injury and largely stabilized upon treatment with melatonin (Figures 1(c) and 1(d)). We also examined the effect of melatonin on mPTP opening, identified as an early marker of apoptotic/necrotic cell death. As shown in Figures 1(e), H/R exposure promoted mPTP opening and this event was prevented by melatonin. Since cardiomyocyte contraction depends critically on mitochondrial ATP production, we next examined whether melatonin had an ability to prevent the loss of ATP induced by H/R. Compared to the control cells, ATP production was markedly suppressed due to H/R damage but preserved instead in melatonin-treated cardiomyocytes (Figure 1(f)). Our data showed that cardiomyocyte mitochondrial damage undergoing H/R injury can be attenuated by melatonin.Figure 1
Melatonin attenuates H/R-mediated mitochondrial damage in cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocytes were subjected to H/R in the presence or absence of melatonin. (a, b) Assessment of mitochondrial ROS production in H9C2 cells. (c, d) Evaluation of MMP through JC-1 staining. (e) Analysis of mPTP opening rate. (f) Fluorimetric ATP production assay results.∗p<0.05.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)


### 3.2. Melatonin Reduces Cardiomyocyte’s H/R-Mediated ER Stress

In addition to mitochondrial damage, ER stress or dysfunction represents a primary event during H/R-mediated cardiomyocyte injury. Therefore, and based on the above findings, we assessed the impact of melatonin with a focus on the activity of ER stress markers following exposure of H9C2 cells to H/R. Compared with the normoxic group, the activities of CHOP, ATF6, and caspase-12 mRNA were upregulated after H/R, whereas melatonin exposure abrogated this effect (Figures2(a) and 2(b)). The anti-ER stress actions of melatonin during cardiomyocyte H/R damage was further confirmed by CHOP and caspase-12 immunofluorescence (Figures 2(c)–2(e)). These data showed that melatonin alleviates ER stress in H/R-treated cardiomyocytes.Figure 2
Melatonin reduces ER stress in cardiomyocytes exposed to H/R injury. (a, b) Analysis of CHOP and caspase-12 transcription levels by qPCR. (c–e) Immunofluorescent detection of CHOP and caspase-12 expressions.∗p<0.05.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)


### 3.3. Melatonin Stabilizes Mitochondria-ER Contact Sites in H/R-Challenged Cardiomyocytes

Since physical interaction between mitochondria and ER membranes critically impacts mitochondrial function and ER homeostasis, we next explored whether melatonin’s protective actions against cardiomyocyte H/R injury involve stabilization of MERCS. Results from qPCR assays illustrated that several MERCS genes, namely, Fis1, BAP31, Mfn2, and IP3R, were rapidly augmented after H/R injury. However, these changes were virtually abolished in cardiomyocytes treated with melatonin (Figures3(a)–3(d)), an effect further supported by protein quantity analysis (Figures 3(e)–3(i)). These data showed that melatonin counteracts the deleterious effects of H/R on mitochondria-ER tethering domains by modulating the expression of key MERCS genes.Figure 3
Melatonin normalizes the expression of MERCS tethering proteins in H/R-challenged cardiomyocytes. (a–d) Analysis of transcriptional levels of Fis1, BAP31, Mfn2, and IP3R by qPCR. (e–i) Western blot analysis of the expression of Fis1, BAP31, Mfn2, and IP3R.∗p<0.05.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)


### 3.4. Overexpression of IP3R Abolishes Melatonin-Mediated Mitochondrial Protection

To assess whether stabilization of mitochondria-ER interaction is required for melatonin-mediated protection against H/R-induced mitochondrial failure in cardiomyocytes, IP3R overexpression assay was performed due to a critical role of IP3R in Ca2+ transferring from the ER to mitochondria. As illustrated in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), after IP3R overexpression mitochondrial ROS overloading occurred in H/R-challenged, melatonin-treated cardiomyocytes. Similarly, after H/R exposure, melatonin failed to sustain both MMP (Figures 4(c) and 4(d)) and ATP production (Figure 4(e)) in IP3R-overexpressing cardiomyocytes. These results suggest that melatonin mediates mitochondrial protection by preventing H/R-mediated IP3R upregulation at MERCS.Figure 4
Overexpression of IP3R abolishes melatonin-mediated mitochondrial protection. IP3R adenovirus (IP3R/Ad) was transfected into cardiomyocytes to overexpress IP3R prior to H/R. (a, b) Assessment of mitochondrial ROS production. (c, d) Determination of MMP variations in H9C2 cells stained with JC-1. (e) ATP production assay results.∗p<0.05.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)


### 3.5. IP3R Overexpression Reduces Melatonin-Mediated Protection against ER Stress

To assess a potential impact mitochondria-ER interaction in melatonin-mediated protection against H/R-induced ER stress, the activity of ER stress-related factor was evaluated in IP3R-overexpressing cardiomyocytes. As shown in Figures5(a) and 5(b), the suppressive action of melatonin on H/R-upregulated CHOP and caspase-12 transcription was nullified in cardiomyocytes overexpressing IP3R. Once again, this effect was confirmed at the protein level through western blot assays (Figures 5(c)–5(e)). These data suggest that IP3R overexpression offsets the protective action of melatonin on ER homeostasis in H/R-attacked cardiomyocytes.Figure 5
IP3R overexpression abrogates melatonin-mediated protection against ER stress. (a, b) Analysis of CHOP and caspase-12 mRNA levels by qPCR. (c–e) Western blot detection of CHOP and caspase-12 protein expressions.∗p<0.05.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)


## 3.1. Melatonin Attenuates Mitochondrial Damage in Cardiomyocytes Exposed to Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury

To mimic myocardial postischemic reperfusion damagein vivo, cultured H9C2 cells were exposed to a 45 min hypoxia, 2-hour reoxygenation (H/R) protocol in the presence or absence of melatonin. Mitochondrial damage was then assessed by measuring ROS production in living cells. As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), compared to normoxic control cells, increased mitochondrial ROS production was observed in H/R-treated cells. In contrast, H/R-evoked ROS augmentation was significantly attenuated in melatonin-treated cells. Similarly, another key parameter of mitochondrial function, namely, MMP, was significantly decreased by H/R injury and largely stabilized upon treatment with melatonin (Figures 1(c) and 1(d)). We also examined the effect of melatonin on mPTP opening, identified as an early marker of apoptotic/necrotic cell death. As shown in Figures 1(e), H/R exposure promoted mPTP opening and this event was prevented by melatonin. Since cardiomyocyte contraction depends critically on mitochondrial ATP production, we next examined whether melatonin had an ability to prevent the loss of ATP induced by H/R. Compared to the control cells, ATP production was markedly suppressed due to H/R damage but preserved instead in melatonin-treated cardiomyocytes (Figure 1(f)). Our data showed that cardiomyocyte mitochondrial damage undergoing H/R injury can be attenuated by melatonin.Figure 1
Melatonin attenuates H/R-mediated mitochondrial damage in cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocytes were subjected to H/R in the presence or absence of melatonin. (a, b) Assessment of mitochondrial ROS production in H9C2 cells. (c, d) Evaluation of MMP through JC-1 staining. (e) Analysis of mPTP opening rate. (f) Fluorimetric ATP production assay results.∗p<0.05.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)


## 3.2. Melatonin Reduces Cardiomyocyte’s H/R-Mediated ER Stress

In addition to mitochondrial damage, ER stress or dysfunction represents a primary event during H/R-mediated cardiomyocyte injury. Therefore, and based on the above findings, we assessed the impact of melatonin with a focus on the activity of ER stress markers following exposure of H9C2 cells to H/R. Compared with the normoxic group, the activities of CHOP, ATF6, and caspase-12 mRNA were upregulated after H/R, whereas melatonin exposure abrogated this effect (Figures2(a) and 2(b)). The anti-ER stress actions of melatonin during cardiomyocyte H/R damage was further confirmed by CHOP and caspase-12 immunofluorescence (Figures 2(c)–2(e)). These data showed that melatonin alleviates ER stress in H/R-treated cardiomyocytes.Figure 2
Melatonin reduces ER stress in cardiomyocytes exposed to H/R injury. (a, b) Analysis of CHOP and caspase-12 transcription levels by qPCR. (c–e) Immunofluorescent detection of CHOP and caspase-12 expressions.∗p<0.05.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)


## 3.3. Melatonin Stabilizes Mitochondria-ER Contact Sites in H/R-Challenged Cardiomyocytes

Since physical interaction between mitochondria and ER membranes critically impacts mitochondrial function and ER homeostasis, we next explored whether melatonin’s protective actions against cardiomyocyte H/R injury involve stabilization of MERCS. Results from qPCR assays illustrated that several MERCS genes, namely, Fis1, BAP31, Mfn2, and IP3R, were rapidly augmented after H/R injury. However, these changes were virtually abolished in cardiomyocytes treated with melatonin (Figures3(a)–3(d)), an effect further supported by protein quantity analysis (Figures 3(e)–3(i)). These data showed that melatonin counteracts the deleterious effects of H/R on mitochondria-ER tethering domains by modulating the expression of key MERCS genes.Figure 3
Melatonin normalizes the expression of MERCS tethering proteins in H/R-challenged cardiomyocytes. (a–d) Analysis of transcriptional levels of Fis1, BAP31, Mfn2, and IP3R by qPCR. (e–i) Western blot analysis of the expression of Fis1, BAP31, Mfn2, and IP3R.∗p<0.05.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)


## 3.4. Overexpression of IP3R Abolishes Melatonin-Mediated Mitochondrial Protection

To assess whether stabilization of mitochondria-ER interaction is required for melatonin-mediated protection against H/R-induced mitochondrial failure in cardiomyocytes, IP3R overexpression assay was performed due to a critical role of IP3R in Ca2+ transferring from the ER to mitochondria. As illustrated in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), after IP3R overexpression mitochondrial ROS overloading occurred in H/R-challenged, melatonin-treated cardiomyocytes. Similarly, after H/R exposure, melatonin failed to sustain both MMP (Figures 4(c) and 4(d)) and ATP production (Figure 4(e)) in IP3R-overexpressing cardiomyocytes. These results suggest that melatonin mediates mitochondrial protection by preventing H/R-mediated IP3R upregulation at MERCS.Figure 4
Overexpression of IP3R abolishes melatonin-mediated mitochondrial protection. IP3R adenovirus (IP3R/Ad) was transfected into cardiomyocytes to overexpress IP3R prior to H/R. (a, b) Assessment of mitochondrial ROS production. (c, d) Determination of MMP variations in H9C2 cells stained with JC-1. (e) ATP production assay results.∗p<0.05.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)


## 3.5. IP3R Overexpression Reduces Melatonin-Mediated Protection against ER Stress

To assess a potential impact mitochondria-ER interaction in melatonin-mediated protection against H/R-induced ER stress, the activity of ER stress-related factor was evaluated in IP3R-overexpressing cardiomyocytes. As shown in Figures5(a) and 5(b), the suppressive action of melatonin on H/R-upregulated CHOP and caspase-12 transcription was nullified in cardiomyocytes overexpressing IP3R. Once again, this effect was confirmed at the protein level through western blot assays (Figures 5(c)–5(e)). These data suggest that IP3R overexpression offsets the protective action of melatonin on ER homeostasis in H/R-attacked cardiomyocytes.Figure 5
IP3R overexpression abrogates melatonin-mediated protection against ER stress. (a, b) Analysis of CHOP and caspase-12 mRNA levels by qPCR. (c–e) Western blot detection of CHOP and caspase-12 protein expressions.∗p<0.05.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)


## 4. Discussion

The present study suggests a previously unrecognized beneficial action of melatonin in myocardial postischemic reperfusion damage. We found that melatonin normalizes mitochondria-ER interaction, resulting in improved mitochondrial function and decreased ER stress. Specifically, our data showed that melatonin suppresses H/R-mediated IP3R overexpression and thus sustains MMP, inhibits mitochondrial ROS production, and preserves ATP production in H/R-exposed, cultured cardiomyocytes. Although confirmatory analyses of Ca2+ fluxes are warranted, our data suggest that melatonin alleviates H/R-mediated ER dysfunction/stress and mitochondrial failure through inhibition of IP3R-mediated mitochondrial Ca2+ overload. This finding suggests a novel cardioprotective mechanism mediated by melatonin in cardiac I/R injury, which may be relevant for treatment strategies focusing on modulation of mitochondria-ER interaction upon acute myocardial reperfusion injury.The role of mitochondria-ER contact in cardiovascular disorders has been widely described [64, 65]. For example, cardiac hypoxia promotes the activation of mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase (MITOL/MARCH5), a MERCS-associated protein, leading to mitochondrial ubiquitination and degradation and eventually to myocardial cell death [66]. In the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, melatonin is able to maintain mitochondrial behavior and ER shape through inhibiting receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), a key controller of necroptosis [67]. Alterations in mitochondria-ER tethering and communication pathways can lead to mitochondrial calcium accumulation and redox imbalance, which have been implicated into impaired cardiac contraction [68]. In turn, abnormal IP3-conrolled Ca2+ transfer from ER to mitochondria contributes to cardiac insulin resistance and myocardial fibrosis in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy [69, 70]. The present data further validate the role of mitochondria-ER contact on cardiomyocyte function, suggesting a promising target when development of effective approaches to manage cardiovascular disorders. We provide evidence that melatonin acts as an upstream regulator of mitochondria-ER interaction, stabilizing MERCS and thus reducing I/R-related cardiomyocytes damage. Although previous studies highlighted the cardioprotective outcome of melatonin during myocardial reperfusion, hypertension, and vascular diseases, this is, to our knowledge, the first study to investigate the influence of melatonin on mitochondria-ER interaction in an in vitro model of myocardial reperfusion damage. While further experiments are required to confirm our observations, our findings suggest that melatonin administration might be an effective approach to restore proper mitochondria-ER communication in myocardial reperfusion attack [71].The cardioprotective action of melatonin has been widely described. For example, melatonin delivery significantly alleviates postinfarction cardiac remodeling through regulation of a JNK/p53-dependent mechanism in diabetic mice [72, 73]. Mitochondrial biogenesis is improved by melatonin treatment during cardiac I/R injury, and this effect promotes mitochondrial turnover as well as cardiomyocyte survival [22]. Cardiac microvascular injury in the reperfused heart, an often neglected topic in the field of cardiac I/R injury, was shown to be attenuated by melatonin through inhibition of Ripk3-mediated necroptosis [28]. In a model of LPS-related cardiac dysfunction, melatonin treatment reduced cardiomyocyte death by sustaining mitochondrial function through a mechanism involving the Mst1-JNK pathway [74, 75]. Platelet hyperreactivity has been associated with the occurrence of myocardial damage and cardiac decompensation. Interestingly, in a cardiac I/R injury mouse model, melatonin treatment was shown to inhibit platelet activation by improving PPARγ contents and hence repressing the FUNDC1-controlled mitochondrial autophagy pathway in platelets [27]. Herein, our data confirmed that melatonin inhibits in cardiomyocytes with the H/R-mediated upregulation of IP3R, which acts as a calcium channel in the surface of the ER. Increased IP3R expression promotes calcium leakage from ER into the mitochondria; in turn, excess intramitochondrial calcium activates the mitochondria-dependent cell death program, leading to cardiomyocyte apoptosis or necrosis. Of note, we found that the H/R-mediated upregulation of other mitochondria-ER contact markers, namely, Fis1, BAP31, and Mfn2, was also inhibited by melatonin. However, additional data are required to clarify whether cardiomyocyte viability and function are affected by melatonin’s effects on these proteins.In conclusion, our data demonstrate that melatonin treatment attenuates H/R-mediated cardiomyocyte damagein vitro. Application of melatonin inhibits the expression of IP3R and thus normalizes the interaction between mitochondria and ER, resulting into improved mitochondrial function and decreased ER stress. Although additional animal experiments are necessary to further elucidate the molecular actions of melatonin on cardiomyocytes, this finding may provide a potential target for clinical treatment of cardiac I/R injury. Of note, our study may also be relevant for devising strategies to alleviate cellular and organ dysfunction associated with aging and age-related diseases, which are known to be critically influenced by alterations in MERCS.



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