A subpopulation of mitochondria prevents cytosolic calcium overload in endothelial cells after cold ischemia/reperfusion

Background. Calcium represents a key mediator of cold ischemia/reperfusion (CIR) injury presumably by affecting mitochondrial function. In this study, we investigated cellular and mitochondrial changes of calcium homeostasis In sublethally damaged human endothelial cells. Methods, Changes in cellular and mitochondrial calcium concentrations were studied after cold ischemia in University of Wisconsin solution for 12 hr and reperfusion in ringer solution. Cytosolic-free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](c)) and mitochondrial-free calcium content ([Ca(2+)](m)) were analyzed by fura-2 and rhod-2 fluorescence, respectively. Pretreatment of cells with ruthenium red (RR) or a H(+)-ionophore was used to inhibit mitochondrial calcium uptake. Mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi (m)) was measured by 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro- 1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide and 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide fluorescence. Results. Twelve-hr cold ischemia did not induce apoptosis in endothelial cells. In such sublethally damaged cells, [Ca(2+)](c) rose from approximately 20 nmol/L after cold ischemia to approximately 120 nmol/L during reperfusion, Pretreatment with RR leads to an approximately 5-fold rise in [Ca(2+)](c). Image analysis revealed a significant increase of [Ca2+], in a subpopulation of mitochondria during reperfusion. This was not the case in RR-pretreated cells. Delta Psi (m) decreased significantly during cold ischemia and was sustained during reperfusion, The loss of Delta Psi (m), can be related to a reduced portion of mitochondria exhibiting high Delta Psi (m). Conclusions, Our results suggest that cytosolic calcium influx during CIR is buffered by a selective portion of mitochondria in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These mitochondria protect cells against cytosolic calcium overload and probably against subsequent cell injury.