Impact of proliferative activity and tumorigenic conversion on mitochondrial function of fibroblasts in 2D and 3D culture

The purpose of the present study was to examine mitochondrial function in differently transformed cells relative to their tumorigenic state and proliferative activity in vitro. An established two-step carcinogenesis model consisting of immortal and tumorigenic rat embryo fibroblasts that can be cultured as monolayers and multicellular spheroids was investigated. Flow cytometric measurements were carried out using the two mitochondrial-specific fluorochromes rhodamine 123 (Rh123) and 10-N-nonyl acridine orange (NAO), in combination with the DNA dye Hoechst 33342 for simultaneous cell cycle analysis. Since the accumulation of Rh123 depends on mitochondrial membrane potential, Rh123 fluorescence intensity gives an estimate of mitochondrial activity per cell, as determined by both overall mitochondrial function and mass. In contrast, NAO uptake reflects mitochondrial mass only, as it binds to cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane independently of membrane potential. Aliquots of cell suspensions derived from exponential monolayer, confluent monolayer, and a range of sizes of multicellular spheroids were stained with either Rh123 or NAO and Hoechst 33342, then mitochondrial mass and activity per unit cell volume and cellular DNA content were measured by flow cytometry. Differences in the average mitochondrial activity per cell in different cell lines and culture conditions were primarily due to alterations in cell volume. Importantly, tumorigenic conversion by ras-transfection did not consistently change mitochondrial activity per unit cell volume. The mitochondrial mass per unit cell volume increased for all cells when cellular quiescence was induced, either in monolayers or spheroids. However, mitochondrial function (activity/mass) decreased when cells became quiescent, resulting in a positive correlation between mitochondrial function and S-phase fraction, independent of transformation status or culture condition. We conclude that mitochondrial function reflects proliferative activity rather than tumorigenic conversion.