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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Isolation and Functional Analysis of Mitochondria from Cultured Cells and Mouse Tissue
Published on: March 23, 2015
Intestinal mitochondrial apoptotic signaling is activated during oxidative stress
Naira Baregamian1, Jun Song, John Papaconstantinou
1Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
Purpose:
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Mitochondria as a major source of intracellular ROS and apoptotic signaling during oxidative stress in NEC have not been investigated. We sought to determine: (1) the effects of oxidative stress on intestinal mitochondrial apoptotic signaling, and (2) the role of growth factors in this process.
Methods:
We used Swiss-Webster mice pups, and rat intestinal epithelial (RIE)-1, mitochondrial DNA-depleted RIE-1 cell line (RIE-1-ρ°) and human fetal intestinal epithelial cells (FHs74 Int) for our studies.
Results:
H(2)O(2) induced apoptosis and ROS production. ROS-mediated activation of apoptotic signaling was significantly attenuated with mitochondrial silencing in RIE-1-ρ° cells. Growth factors, especially IGF-1, attenuated this response to H(2)O(2) in intestinal epithelial cells.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that mitochondria are a major source of intestinal apoptotic signaling during oxidative stress, and modulating mitochondrial apoptotic responses may help ameliorate the effects of NEC.
Insights
Mitochondria contribute to intestinal cell death in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Growth factors like IGF-1 may protect against this oxidative stress, offering potential therapeutic avenues for NEC.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Gastroenterology
- Neonatal Research
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe intestinal disease in premature infants.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in NEC pathogenesis.
- The role of mitochondria in NEC-related apoptosis is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the impact of oxidative stress on intestinal mitochondrial apoptotic signaling.
- Determine the role of growth factors in mitigating oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in the intestine.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Swiss-Webster mouse pups, RIE-1 cells, and a mitochondrial DNA-depleted RIE-1 cell line (RIE-1-ρ°).
- Included human fetal intestinal epithelial cells (FHs74 Int).
- Applied hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce oxidative stress.
Main Results:
- Hydrogen peroxide induced apoptosis and ROS production in intestinal cells.
- Mitochondrial silencing in RIE-1-ρ° cells significantly reduced ROS-mediated apoptotic signaling.
- Growth factors, particularly IGF-1, attenuated the H2O2-induced apoptotic response.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondria are a significant source of intestinal apoptotic signaling under oxidative stress.
- Modulating mitochondrial apoptotic pathways presents a potential strategy to alleviate NEC.
- Growth factors may offer protective effects against NEC-related intestinal damage.
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