急性脑缺血诱导的Sirt3蛋白表达下调通过破坏线粒体功能导致神经元损伤

本文旨在观察急性脑缺血对神经元沉默信息调节因子2相关酶类3(silent mating type information regulator 2 homolog 3,Sirt3)蛋白表达水平的影响,并阐明Sirt3在急性脑缺血中的病理意义。建立小鼠大脑中动脉栓塞(middlecerebralartery occlusion,MCAO)和Wistar大鼠原代培养海马神经元氧糖剥夺(oxygen glucose deprivation,OGD)模型,用Western blot检测Sirt3蛋白表达水平,用携带Sirt3的慢病毒感染海马神经元后,用CCK8试剂盒检测细胞存活率,用免疫荧光染色法检测海马神经元线粒体功能,用透射电子显微镜检测线粒体自噬情况。结果显示,与常氧组相比,OGD1 h/复氧2 h(R2 h)和OGD1 h/R12 h组海马神经元Sirt3蛋白表达水平均显著下调;与对侧正常脑组织相比,MCAO1 h/再灌注24 h(R24 h)和MCAO1 h/R72 h组小鼠大脑损伤侧半影区Sirt3蛋白表达水平均显著下调,而假手术组两侧Sirt3蛋白表达水平之间无显著差异。OGD1 h/R12 h处理损伤海马神经元线粒体功能,激活线粒体自噬,降低细胞存活率,而Sirt3过表达可减轻OGD1 h/R12 h对海马神经元的上述损伤作用。以上结果提示,急性脑缺血后Sirt3蛋白表达下调可通过破坏线粒体功能稳态影响神经元存活,纠正Sirt3蛋白可减轻急性脑缺血造成的损伤,这可为防治缺血性脑卒中提供新思路。     

线粒体大麻素受体1在大鼠海马神经元缺氧复氧损伤中对线粒体分裂的影响

目的:探讨线粒体CB1受体(mitochondrial cannabinoid receptor1,mtCB1)在大鼠海马神经元缺氧复氧损伤中对线粒体分裂的影响。方法:原代培养新生的Wistar大鼠海马神经元,将培养至第8天的海马神经元采用随机数字表分为5组(n=60):正常组(N组):正常培养,不做任何处理;缺氧复氧组(H/R组):采用氧糖剥夺法构建海马神经元缺氧复氧损伤模型,缺氧6h,复氧20 h;缺氧复氧组+ACEA+AM251组(H/R+ACEA+AM251组):缺氧6 h结束后立即加入ACEA和AM251,终浓度分别为1μmol/L、10μmol/L,复氧20 h;缺氧复氧+ACEA+Hemopressin(H/R+ACEA+Hemo组):缺氧6h结束后立即加入ACEA和Hemopressin,终浓度分别为1μmol/L、10μmol/L,复氧20 h;缺氧复氧+赋形剂组(H/R+V组):同样于缺氧6h结束后立即加入二甲基亚砜(DMSO),终浓度0.1%,复氧20 h。使用激光共聚焦显微镜检测细胞内Ca~(2+)的浓度,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率,Western blot检测凋亡诱导因子(AIF)、线粒体分裂相关蛋白Drp1、Fis1,细胞凋亡相关蛋白细胞色素C(Cytc)和Rho相关的卷曲蛋白激酶1(ROCK1)的表达。结果:与N组相比,H/R组、H/R+ACEA+AM251组、H/R+ACEA+Hemo组和H/R+V组的细胞内Ca~(2+)浓度、细胞凋亡率、以及AIF、Drp1、Fis1、Cytc、ROCK1蛋白的表达水平均明显增加(P0.05);与H/R组相比,H/R+ACEA+Hem组上述各检测指标明显降低(P0.05),H/R+ACEA+AM251组和H/R+V组各指标比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:线粒体CB1受体(mtCB1受体)可能通过降低细胞内ROS的含量来减少细胞内Ca~(2+)浓度和ROCK1的表达,进而抑制线粒体分裂,并最终减轻海马神经元缺氧复氧损伤。     

SIRT2抑制对MPP+诱导的帕金森病细胞模型凋亡和线粒体动态平衡的影响*

探究siRNA敲减沉默信息调节因子2(SIRT2)对1-甲基-4-苯基吡啶离子(MPP⁺)诱导的帕金森病细胞模型细胞损伤的影响和机制。CCK-8法检测不同浓度MPP⁺处理对体外培养小鼠海马神经元HT-22细胞生存率的影响。将细胞分为对照组、MPP⁺最佳浓度处理组(1 mmol/L MPP⁺处理组)、阴性转染组(对照组基础上转染SIRT2阴性序列)、SIRT2 siRNA处理组(损伤组基础上转染SIRT2 siRNA)。观察各组细胞凋亡情况,检测凋亡相关蛋白(Bcl-2、Bax、Caspase-9)、线粒体分裂及融合相关蛋白(Drp1、Fis1、OPA1、Mfn1、Mfn2)。与对照组相比,MPP⁺处理组细胞抑制率均升高,细胞抑制率随MPP⁺浓度增加而逐渐增加(P<0.05)。与SIRT2 siRNA转染组相比,损伤组Bax、Caspase-9、Drp1、Fis1蛋白表达和细胞凋亡率升高,Bcl-2、Mfn1、Mfn2蛋白表达降低(P<0.05)。SIRT2在MPP⁺诱导帕金森病细胞模型中表达升高,抑制SIRT2可减轻MPP⁺诱导帕金森病细胞模型中细胞凋亡并促进线粒体融合,从而对神经元具有一定的保护作用。     

tBHQ和SFN在创伤性脑损伤小鼠中的疗效比较性分析

目的:探讨叔丁基对苯二酚(t BHQ)和莱菔硫烷(SFN)在患有创伤性脑损伤大鼠的疗效差异性。方法:80只健康成年的雄性SD大鼠分为假手术组、常规损伤组、t BHQ治疗组和SFN治疗组,使用电子颅脑损伤仪(e CCI)制备TBI模型。其中t BHQ治疗组在伤前24 h大鼠腹腔注射三次t BHQ(50 mg/kg),每8 h一次;SFN治疗组在伤后15 min给予腹腔注射SFN(5 mg/kg)。给药24 h后,采用m NSS方法评价各组大鼠神经功能缺损状况,利用干湿称量法计算脑含水量,Western blot和ELISA方法分别测定大鼠脑组织的NOX2和Nrf2的表达水平。结果:损伤发生后第24 h,t BHQ治疗组和SFN治疗组在m NSS评分((4.5±0.71)vs(9.2±0.79),(6.0±0.82)vs(9.2±0.79))、脑水肿(79.4%vs 85.6%,80.3%vs 85.6%)、NOX2和Nrf2(0.93 ng/m L vs 0.81 ng/m L,0.87 ng/m L vs 0.81 ng/m L)表达上与常规损伤组差异明显,而t BHQ治疗组和SFN治疗组间在m NSS评分((4.5±0.71)vs(6.0±0.82))、NOX2和Nrf2(0.93 ng/m L vs 0.87 ng/m L)表达上差异显著。结论:在大鼠TBI模型中,t BHQ和SFN均可以有效的降低机体自身的氧化应激作用,并改善神经功能,但t BHQ的疗效要好于SFN。     

CLIC1通过干扰线粒体动力学平衡促进内皮细胞损伤的研究

该文通过研究H2O2诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)中氯离子通道蛋白1(chloride intracellular channel 1, CLIC1)对线粒体动力学平衡的影响,探讨CLIC1在内皮细胞损伤中的作用及机制。体外培养HUVEC细胞,分别用CLIC1抑制剂IAA94(40μmol/L)、H2O2(0.9 mmol/L)、IAA94(40μmol/L)和H2O2(0.9 mmol/L)联合处理,荧光法检测细胞活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde, MDA)的含量; JC-1染色法检测细胞线粒体膜电位的变化;定量PCR技术检测CLIC1、线粒体动力相关蛋白1(dynamin-related protein 1, Drp1)以及线粒体融合蛋白1(mitofusin 1, Mfn1)的mRNA表达;免疫印迹技术检测CLIC1、Drp1蛋白的水平。结果显示:与正常组相比, H2O2处理的内皮细胞中ROS、MDA含量增加(P0.05), CLIC1表达量上调(P0.05),三磷酸腺苷(ATP)含量减少(P0.05),线粒体膜电位降低(P0.001),线粒体融合蛋白Mfn1表达显著降低(P0.05),线粒体分裂蛋白Drp1表达显著升高(P0.05);而IAA94预处理2 h后,内皮细胞中ROS、MDA含量减少(P0.05),线粒体融合蛋白Mfn1表达显著增加(P0.05),线粒体分裂蛋白Drp1表达显著降低(P0.05),线粒体膜电位升高(P0.001)。以上结果表明, CLIC1在H2O2诱导的内皮细胞线粒体损伤中发挥重要作用,其机制可能与CLIC1干扰线粒体动力学平衡有关。     

小鼠肝再生过程中ROS及线粒体代谢变化规律的研究

目的:肝脏是维持人体发挥功能的重要器官,同时肝脏再生能力十分强大。本文通过部分肝切除术后小鼠肝再生模型,观察肝再生过程中氧化应激及线粒体代谢变化规律,以期为将来的调控肝再生提供新的干预靶点。方法:选择雄性健康体重均匀的Balb/c小鼠,采用经典70%肝切除模型,随机分为假手术对照组(Sham组)以及70%肝切除组(70%PH组)。肝切除术后6 h、1d、2 d、3 d、5 d、7 d不同时间点取肝组织,制备冰冻切片检测活性氧(ROS)水平,Western blot分别检测细胞增殖相关蛋白PCNA、Cyclin D1;氧化应激相关蛋白SOD1、SOD2、CAT、GPX1;以及线粒体代谢相关蛋白PGC-1α、Nrf1、TFAM、Drp1、Fis1、Mfn1、Mfn2、OPA1的表达并分析其变化规律。结果:70%肝切除术后小鼠肝脏增长迅速,细胞增殖关键蛋白PCNA和Cyclin D1表达显著增加;在此过程中细胞ROS水平呈现先升高后降低的变化,细胞主要抗氧化酶SOD1、SOD2、CAT、Gpx1与ROS相一致出现先升高后降低的变化。线粒体生物合成调控因子PGC-1α、Nrf1、TFAM呈现先降低后升高的趋势,而线粒体分裂蛋白Drp1和Fis1呈现先降低后显著升高的趋势,线粒体融合相关蛋白Mfn1、Mfn2和OPA1总体为先降低后恢复至正常水平。结论:在小鼠70%肝切除再生过程中,存在着明显的氧化应激,线粒体生物合成增加,线粒体分裂/融合平衡偏向分裂,并且这些变化呈现具有一定的时间变化规律,这些变化及规律很可能作为将来调控肝再生的重要的潜在干预靶点。     

右美托咪定神经保护作用的自噬机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨右美托咪定发挥神经保护作用的细胞自噬和线粒体自噬机制。方法：通过对SH-SY5Y细胞进行氧糖剥夺再灌注模拟全脑的缺血再灌注损伤,将细胞随机分为7组：（1）C组：对照组;（2）OGD/R组：氧糖剥夺再灌注损伤组;（3）DEX组：右美托咪定组;（4）3MA组：3-甲基腺嘌呤组;（5）D+3MA组;（6）RAPA组：雷帕霉素组;（7）D+RAPA组。结果：与OGD/R组相比,DEX组、3MA组、D+3MA组的细胞活性、电镜下完整线粒体的数量、自噬体数量明显好于OGD/R组（P<0.05）;RAPA组与OGD/R组相比上述指标无明显差异（P>0.05）;而RAPA中加入右美托咪定以后,可以部分逆转RAPA的作用,细胞活性增加,完整线粒体数量增加,自噬体数量减少（P<0.05）。免疫印迹结果显示,与OGD/R组相比,DEX组、3MA组、D+3MA组LC3II/LC3I、Beclin 1表达减少,BCL-2、P62、TOM20的表达增加,RAPA组各种自噬蛋白的表达与OGD/R组相比没有统计学意义,当应用右美托咪定之后逆转了各种蛋白的表达（P<0.05）。结论：右美托咪定通过减少过度的细胞自噬和线粒体自噬发挥神经保护作用。     

线粒体动力相关蛋白Drp1与心肌缺血再灌注损伤机制的研究进展

线粒体动力相关蛋白(dynamin-related protein 1,Drp1)是介导线粒体分裂的主要蛋白,Drp1表达增加,线粒体分裂增加,网状结构破坏,反之则有助线粒体融合,促进损伤线粒体修复。心肌缺血再灌注损伤与活性氧(ROS)的大量产生,线粒体通透性转换孔(MPTP)的开放及细胞凋亡等密切相关。近年来大量研究发现Drp1介导的线粒体分裂参与心肌缺血再灌注损伤,本文就Drp1参与心肌缺血再灌注损伤的相关机制作一简要综述。     

丹参酚酸B通过Nrf2/HO-1对脑缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用研究

目的:研究丹参酚酸B对脑缺血/再灌注(Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion,CI/R)损伤的保护作用及机制。方法:通过结扎颈总动脉缺血2 h再灌注48 h复制CI/R模型,将实验大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、丹参酚酸B组,每组10只,培养大脑皮层神经细胞,分别给予0,10,25,50 umol/L的丹参酚酸B。通过2,3,5-氯化三苯基四氮唑蓝(TTC)染法测定大鼠脑梗死面积,Western Blot检测大鼠Nrf2和HO-1蛋白表达水平以及细胞中Nrf2和HO-1蛋白表达水平。再通过细胞缺氧缺糖模型,检测不同浓度丹参酚酸B对于细胞死亡率及细胞内ROS水平以及转染Nrf2或HO-1 si RNA后细胞死亡率及细胞内ROS水平。结果:与模型组比较,丹参酚酸B组的大鼠脑梗死面积明显减小,脑组织中Nrf2和HO-1蛋白表达水平均明显增加(P0.05)。大脑皮层细胞中,随着丹参酚酸B浓度增加,细胞HO-1蛋白及细胞核中Nrf2蛋白表达水平逐渐提高,而细胞质中Nrf2蛋白表达水平逐渐降低(P0.05)。细胞缺糖缺氧条件下,与对照组相比,丹参酚酸B组均能够降低细胞的死亡率及细胞内ROS水平,敲除Nrf2或HO-1后,丹参酚酸B组的细胞死亡率与细胞内ROS水平均有明显减低(P0.05)。结论:丹参酚酸B对大鼠CI/R具有保护作用,其作用机制可能通过Nrf2/HO-1减轻CI/R所造成的氧化应激损伤。     

有氧运动改善AD模型APP/PS1双转基因小鼠中枢神经元线粒体融合分裂动态平衡

线粒体融合分裂平衡是线粒体动力学的需要。本研究观察12周规律有氧运动对APP/PS1双转基因小鼠中枢神经元线粒体融合分裂动态平衡的影响。本研究采用3月龄雄性APP/PS1小鼠（AD模型）随机分为AD安静组（AS）、AD运动组（AE）,同月龄雄性C57BL/6J小鼠做正常对照组（CS）。AE组进行12周规律跑台运动,5 d/周,60 min/d。前10 min运动速度12 m/min,后50 min运动速度15 m/min,跑台坡度为0°。八臂迷宫实验检测小鼠工作记忆错误频率和参考记忆错误频率;Western印迹检测小鼠皮层、海马组织中线粒体分裂蛋白Drp1和Fis1的含量,以及Drp1的活性（p-Drp1-Ser616）、线粒体融合蛋白Mfn1、Mfn2、Opa1的表达水平;透射电镜观察皮层、海马线粒体形态结构、健康线粒体比率及线粒体平均直径。本研究证实AS组较CS组工作记忆错误频率显著提高（P<0.05）,12周有氧运动显著降低工作记忆错误频率（P<0.05）。AS组小鼠皮层Fis1蛋白和海马脑区Drp1、Fis1蛋白表达水平及皮层、海马脑区Drp1蛋白的活性增加（P<0.05）。而皮层Mfn1和海马Mfn1、Mfn2蛋白表达水平显著降低（P<0.05）。12周有氧运动显著减低Fis1、Drp1蛋白表达及Drp1蛋白的活性,提高Mfn1、Mfn2蛋白表达水平（P<0.05）。AS组小鼠皮层、海马线粒体多呈现球形,部分线粒体膜结构消失,线粒体嵴结构紊乱。且AS组较CS组小鼠健康线粒体比率降低、直径缩短。12周规律有氧运动可明显改善线粒体形态和结构,提高健康线粒体比率及直径。本研究提示,12周规律有氧运动可有效抑制皮层、海马脑区线粒体分裂蛋白Drp1和 Fis1的表达,降低Drp1的活性（p-Drp1-Ser616）,上调线粒体融合蛋白Mfn1、Mfn2的蛋白表达水平,改善线粒体形态和结构以促进线粒体质量控制,是有氧运动改善AD模型空间学习记忆能力的分子机制之一。     

The combination of Panax ginseng and Angelica sinensis alleviates ischemia brain injury by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and microglial pyroptosis

BackgroundThe combination of Panax ginseng and Angelica sinensis (CPA) has been used to treat stroke for one thousand years and demonstrated clinically to have satisfied effects. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown.PurposeWe investigate whether CPA has neuroprotective effects via suppressing Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and microglial pyroptosis against ischemic injury in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats.MethodsMale rats were divided randomly into sham operated, MCAO, MCC950 (NLRP3-specific inhibitor) and CPA groups. Neurological deficits, glucose uptake, infarct size, activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes, microglial pyroptosis and related signaling pathways were detected. BV-2 microglial cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) were used in in vitro experiments.ResultsCompared with sham rats, elevated level of proinflammatory interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in plasma, neurological function deficit, reduced glucose uptake in ipsilateral hemisphere, obvious infarct size, the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and enhanced microglial pyroptosis were presented in MCAO rats. The administrations of MCC950 and CPA respectively reversed the results. In vitro OGD/R induced the release of lactate dehydrogenase, promoted NLRP3 inflammasomes activation and pyroptosis in BV-2 cells, which was significantly suppressed by treatment with ginsenoside Rd (Rd) and Z-ligustilide (LIG). Mechanistically, OGD/R induced high expression of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission, as well as NLRP3 inflammasomes activation and pyroptosis in BV-2 cells, which was attenuated by treatment with Rd and LIG. Moreover, the increased expression of Drp1 was validated in MCAO rats, and also abolished by MCC950 or CPA treatments.ConclusionCPA treatment attenuates cerebral injury via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasomes activation and microglial pyroptosis after stroke, which at least partially involved in the amelioration of Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission.     

Mitochondrial fission and mitophagy are independent mechanisms regulating ischemia/reperfusion injury in primary neurons

Mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy are constitutive and complex systems that ensure a healthy mitochondrial network through the segregation and subsequent degradation of damaged mitochondria. Disruption of these systems can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and has been established as a central mechanism of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy are integrated systems; however, the role of this relationship in the context of I/R injury remains unclear. To investigate this concept, we utilized primary cortical neurons isolated from the novel dual-reporter mitochondrial quality control knockin mice (C57BL/6-Gt(ROSA)26Sortm1(CAG-mCherry/GFP)Ganl/J) with conditional knockout (KO) of Drp1 to investigate changes in mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagic flux during in vitro I/R injury. Mitochondrial dynamics was quantitatively measured in an unbiased manner using a machine learning mitochondrial morphology classification system, which consisted of four different classifications: network, unbranched, swollen, and punctate. Evaluation of mitochondrial morphology and mitophagic flux in primary neurons exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and reoxygenation (OGD/R) revealed extensive mitochondrial fragmentation and swelling, together with a significant upregulation in mitophagic flux. Furthermore, the primary morphology of mitochondria undergoing mitophagy was classified as punctate. Colocalization using immunofluorescence as well as western blot analysis revealed that the PINK1/Parkin pathway of mitophagy was activated following OGD/R. Conditional KO of Drp1 prevented mitochondrial fragmentation and swelling following OGD/R but did not alter mitophagic flux. These data provide novel evidence that Drp1 plays a causal role in the progression of I/R injury, but mitophagy does not require Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission.Subject terms: Mitophagy, Mechanisms of disease     

Tert-Butylhydroquinone Alleviates Early Brain Injury and Cognitive Dysfunction after Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Role of Keap1/Nrf2/ARE Pathway

Tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), an Nrf2 activator, has demonstrated neuroprotection against brain trauma and ischemic stroke in vivo. However, little work has been done with respect to its effect on early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). At the same time, as an oral medication, it may have extensive clinical applications for the treatment of SAH-induced cognitive dysfunction. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of tBHQ on EBI, secondary deficits of learning and memory, and the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway in a rat SAH model. SD rats were divided into four groups: (1) Control group (n = 40); (2) SAH group (n = 40); (3) SAH+vehicle group (n = 40); and (4) SAH+tBHQ group (n = 40). All SAH animals were subjected to injection of autologous blood into the prechiasmatic cistern once in 20 s. In SAH+tBHQ group, tBHQ was administered via oral gavage at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg at 2 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h after SAH. In the first set of experiments, brain samples were extracted and evaluated 48 h after SAH. In the second set of experiments, changes in cognition and memory were investigated in a Morris water maze. Results shows that administration of tBHQ after SAH significantly ameliorated EBI-related problems, such as brain edema, blood-brain barrier (BBB) impairment, clinical behavior deficits, cortical apoptosis, and neurodegeneration. Learning deficits induced by SAH was markedly alleviated after tBHQ therapy. Treatment with tBHQ markedly up-regulated the expression of Keap1, Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and GSTα1 after SAH. In conclusion, the administration of tBHQ abated the development of EBI and cognitive dysfunction in this SAH model. Its action was probably mediated by activation of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway.     

ACEA改善线粒体复合体活性诱导神经保护作用研究

目的:探讨线粒体复合体活性对大麻素CB1受体选择性激动剂ACEA神经保护作用的影响。方法:将原代大鼠皮层神经元分为4组:对照组(Control)、氧糖剥夺组(OGD)、ACEA+OGD组和溶剂(Vehicle)+OGD组,分别检测各组神经元损伤程度和线粒体复合体Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅳ的活性。为进一步证实线粒体复合体活性对ACEA神经保护的影响,将原代大鼠皮层神经元分为5组:对照组(Control)、氧糖剥夺组(OGD)、ACEA+OGD组、线粒体复合体Ⅰ抑制剂(rotenone)+ACEA+OGD组和线粒体复合体Ⅱ抑制剂(TTFA)+ACEA+OGD组,检测和比较各组神经元细胞的损伤情况。结果:在OGD后24小时,ACEA明显增加神经元活性,减少LDH释放,降低神经元凋亡率(P0.05),改善OGD损伤后线粒体复合体Ⅰ和Ⅳ的活性(P0.05),而对复合体Ⅱ的活性没有影响;rotenone可以部分逆转ACEA的神经保护作用(P0.05),但TTFA却没有这一作用。结论:ACEA可以诱导神经保护作用,其机制是与改善线粒体呼吸链复合体活性有关。     

Impaired Mitochondrial Dynamics and Nrf2 Signaling Contribute to Compromised Responses to Oxidative Stress in Striatal Cells Expressing Full-Length Mutant Huntingtin

Huntington disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease resulting from an abnormal expansion of polyglutamine in huntingtin (Htt). Compromised oxidative stress defense systems have emerged as a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of HD. Indeed activation of the Nrf2 pathway, which plays a prominent role in mediating antioxidant responses, has been considered as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HD. Given the fact that there is an interrelationship between impairments in mitochondrial dynamics and increased oxidative stress, in this present study we examined the effect of mutant Htt (mHtt) on these two parameters. STHdh^Q111/Q111 cells, striatal cells expressing mHtt, display more fragmented mitochondria compared to STHdh^Q7/Q7 cells, striatal cells expressing wild type Htt, concurrent with alterations in the expression levels of Drp1 and Opa1, key regulators of mitochondrial fission and fusion, respectively. Studies of mitochondrial dynamics using cell fusion and mitochondrial targeted photo-switchable Dendra revealed that mitochondrial fusion is significantly decreased in STHdh^Q111/Q111 cells. Oxidative stress leads to dramatic increases in the number of STHdh^Q111/Q111 cells containing swollen mitochondria, while STHdh^Q7/Q7 cells just show increases in the number of fragmented mitochondria. mHtt expression results in reduced activity of Nrf2, and activation of the Nrf2 pathway by the oxidant tBHQ is significantly impaired in STHdh^Q111/Q111 cells. Nrf2 expression does not differ between the two cell types, but STHdh^Q111/Q111 cells show reduced expression of Keap1 and p62, key modulators of Nrf2 signaling. In addition, STHdh^Q111/Q111 cells exhibit increases in autophagy, whereas the basal level of autophagy activation is low in STHdh^Q7/Q7 cells. These results suggest that mHtt disrupts Nrf2 signaling which contributes to impaired mitochondrial dynamics and may enhance susceptibility to oxidative stress in STHdh^Q111/Q111 cells.