Role of Na⁺-K⁺-Cl⁻ cotransport and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange in mitochondrial dysfunction in astrocytes following in vitro ischemia

Abstract

Na(+)-K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter isoform 1 (NKCC1) and reverse mode operation of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) contribute to intracellular Na(+) and Ca(2+) overload in astrocytes following oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and reoxygenation (REOX). Here, we further investigated whether NKCC1 and NCX play a role in mitochondrial Ca(2+) (Ca(m)(2+)) overload and dysfunction. OGD/REOX caused a doubling of mitochondrial-releasable Ca(2+) (P < 0.05). When NKCC1 was inhibited with bumetanide, the mitochondrial-releasable Ca(2+) was reduced by approximately 42% (P < 0.05). Genetic ablation of NKCC1 also reduced Ca(m)(2+) accumulation. Moreover, OGD/REOX in NKCC1(+/+) astrocytes caused dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Psi(m)) to 42 +/- 3% of controls. In contrast, when NKCC1 was inhibited with bumetanide, depolarization of Psi(m) was attenuated significantly (66 +/- 10% of controls, P < 0.05). Cells were also subjected to severe in vitro hypoxia by superfusion with a hypoxic, acidic, ion-shifted Ringer buffer (HAIR). HAIR/REOX triggered a secondary, sustained rise in intracellular Ca(2+) that was attenuated by reversal NCX inhibitor KB-R7943. The hypoxia-mediated increase in Ca(m)(2+) was accompanied by loss of Psi(m) and cytochrome c release in NKCC1(+/+) astrocytes. Bumetanide or genetic ablation of NKCC1 attenuated mitochondrial dysfunction and astrocyte death following ischemia. Our study suggests that NKCC1 acting in concert with NCX causes a perturbation of Ca(m)(2+) homeostasis and mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death following in vitro ischemia.