Mitochondrial dynamics when mitochondrial toxic chemicals exposed in 3D cultured mouse embryonic stem cell

Mitochondria need to use considerable energy for the intracellular organelles that produce ATP. They are abundant in the cells of organs, such as muscles, liver, and kidneys. The heart, which requires a lot of energy, is also rich in mitochondria. Mitochondrial damage can induce cell death. Doxorubicin, acetaminophen, valproic acid, amiodarone, and hydroxytamoxifen are representative substances that induce mitochondrial damage. On the other hand, the effects of this substance on the progress of cardiomyocyte-differentiating stem cells have not been investigated. Therefore, a 3D cultured embryonic body toxicity test was performed. The results confirmed that the cytotoxic effects on cardiomyocytes were due to mitochondrial damage in the stage of cardiomyocyte differentiation. After drug treatment, the cells were raised in the embryoid body state for four days to obtain the ID₅₀ values, and the levels of mRNA expression associated with the mitochondrial complex were examined. The mitochondrial DNA copy numbers were also compared to prove that the substance affects the number of mitochondria in EB-state cardiomyocytes.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43188-022-00161-1.