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Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Assessment of Mitochondrial Functions and Cell Viability in Renal Cells Overexpressing Protein Kinase C Isozymes
Published on: January 7, 2013
Regulation of mitochondrial morphology by positive feedback interaction between PKCδ and Drp1 in vascular smooth
Soyeon Lim1, Se-Yeon Lee, Hyang-Hee Seo
1Severance Integrative Research Institute for Cerebral & Cardiovascular Disease, Yonsei University Health System, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1) plays a critical role in mitochondrial fission which allows cell proliferation and Mdivi-1, a specific small molecule Drp1 inhibitor, is revealed to attenuate proliferation. However, few molecular mechanisms-related to Drp1 under stimulus for restenosis or atherosclerosis have been investigated in vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs). Therefore, we hypothesized that Drp1 inhibition can prevent vascular restenosis and investigated its regulatory mechanism. Angiotensin II (Ang II) or hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 )-induced proliferation and migration in SMCs were attenuated by down-regulation of Drp1 Ser 616 phosphorylation, which was demonstrated by in vitro assays for migration and proliferation. Excessive amounts of ROS production and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were prevented by Drp1 inhibition under Ang II and H2 O2 . Under the Ang II stimulation, activated Drp1 interacted with PKCδ and then activated MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling cascade and MMP2, but not MMP9. Furthermore, in ex vivo aortic ring assay, inhibition of the Drp1 had significant anti-proliferative and -migration effects for vSMCs. A formation of vascular neointima in response to a rat carotid artery balloon injury was prevented by Drp1 inhibition, which shows a beneficial effect of Drp1 regulation in the pathologic vascular condition. Drp1-mediated SMC proliferation and migration can be prevented by mitochondrial division inhibitor (Mdivi-1) in in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo, and these results suggest the possibility that Drp1 can be a new therapeutic target for restenosis or atherosclerosis.
Insights
Dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1) inhibition prevents vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for restenosis and atherosclerosis by targeting mitochondrial dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Mitochondrial dynamics and cell signaling in cardiovascular disease.
Background:
- Dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1) regulates mitochondrial fission, impacting cell proliferation.
- Drp1's role in vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) responses to stimuli like Angiotensin II (Ang II) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is not well understood.
- Mdivi-1, a Drp1 inhibitor, shows potential in attenuating proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that Drp1 inhibition prevents vascular restenosis.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Drp1's role in vSMC proliferation and migration under pathological conditions.
Main Methods:
- In vitro assays for vSMC migration and proliferation.
- Assessment of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential.
- Ex vivo aortic ring assays and in vivo rat carotid artery balloon injury models.
- Analysis of Drp1 interaction with PKCδ and downstream signaling pathways (MEK1/2-ERK1/2, MMP2).
Main Results:
- Drp1 inhibition, specifically reducing Drp1 Ser 616 phosphorylation, attenuated Ang II/H2O2-induced vSMC proliferation and migration.
- Drp1 inhibition mitigated excessive ROS production and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential.
- Activated Drp1 interacted with PKCδ, leading to MEK1/2-ERK1/2 and MMP2 activation under Ang II stimulation.
- Mdivi-1 demonstrated significant anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo, preventing neointima formation after balloon injury.
Conclusions:
- Drp1 plays a crucial role in pathological vSMC proliferation and migration.
- Inhibition of Drp1, via Mdivi-1, effectively prevents vascular restenosis and neointima formation.
- Drp1 emerges as a promising therapeutic target for treating restenosis and atherosclerosis.
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