Studies on the pathogenesis of ischemic cell injury. VI. Mitochondrial flocculent densities in autolysis

Flocculent densities in the matrix of mitochondria have become quite important in cell pathology since, when prominent, they indicate irreversible cell injury. The morphology and chemical nature of these flocculent densities have been studied in Kidney after various periods of autolysis in vitro in whole tissue samples and in isolated mitochondria. After 30 to 60 min of ischemia, flocculent densities were seen only occasionally and they were most prominent in samples subjected to mechanical damage during isolation. However, in 2- and 4-h samples numerous densities were seen. The size of the densities increased with time, being about 1,400 A in diameter at 4 h. Densities were also seen in mitochondria isolated in medium containing EDTA. They were seen only in the mitochondrial matrix, and could occasionally be found in condensed mitochondria. Small densities were generally round but larger one varied in shape and often appeared as aggregates of smaller densities. Digestion of the densities from water-soluble glycol methacrylate embedded samples was successful with pronase, but neither acid nor lipid solvents were effective. calcium or inorganic phosphate content of isolated mitochondria did not show an increase parallel to the occurrence of flocculent densities. The results suggest that the densities consist predominantly of protein and are probably formed through denaturation of proteins of the mitochondrial matrix and/or the inner membrane.     

Studies on the pathogenesis of ischemic cell injury. XI. P/O ratio and acceptor control.

Acceptor control index, P/O ratio and inner membrane permeability were examined in isolated mitochondria following periods of renal ischemia for 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min. It was noted that the P/O ratio remained unchanged until 1-2 h after the onset of ischemia. A similar change was noted in the contraction rate of isolated ischemic mitochondria after swelling in KCl and addition of ATP+Mg2+. Both changes are probably indications of a basic membrane alteration which correlates with the occurrence of irreversibility of cell injury. In contrast, the swelling rate in KCl and the acceptor control index are altered almost simultaneously with the onset of ischemia. Therefore, acceptor control index and the rate of swelling are affected prior to the point of irreversible cell injury. They are not, therefore, good as indicators of irreversible changes in the inner membrane of mitochondria leading to the "point-of-no-return."     

Altered calcium homeostasis in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemic and hypoxic injury

Pathological calcification, observed in infarcted myocardium under certain conditions, is the most severe manifestation of abnormal calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis induced by ischemia and related forms of myocardial injury. Specialized techniques for measurement of intracellular electrolytes, i.e., electron probe X-ray microanalysis, and intracellular free Ca2+, i.e. carboxylate indicators including fura-2, are providing new insights into regulation of intracellular Ca2+ and the role of altered Ca2+ homeostasis in the pathogenesis of myocardial cell injury. Several lines of investigation indicate that increased intracellular Ca2+ develops in association with other electrolyte alterations, altered cell volume regulation, and altered membrane phospholipid composition during the progression of myocardial cell injury.     

Protection from DNA damage during an ischemic cell injury

During an ischemic cell injury, cellular NAD levels are lowered and DNA is damaged in a manner similar to other types of injury. Nicotinic acid given to an animal prior to the ischemic insult, caused very little change in the NAD levels but minimized the DNA damage of the injury. This protection is eliminated by 3-aminobenzamide which indicates a possible involvement of poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase in the process.     

Programmed cell death and the pathogenesis of tissue injury induced by type A Francisella tularensis

The protein Pal (peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein) is anchored in the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria and interacts with Tol proteins. Tol–Pal proteins form two complexes: the first is composed of three inner membrane Tol proteins (TolA, TolQ and TolR); the second consists of the TolB and Pal proteins linked to the cell's OM. These complexes interact with one another forming a multiprotein membrane-spanning system. It has recently been demonstrated that Pal is essential for bacterial survival and pathogenesis, although its role in virulence has not been clearly defined. This review summarizes the available data concerning the structure and function of Pal and its role in pathogenesis.