Chloride channel inhibition prevents ROS-dependent apoptosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion in mouse cardiomyocytes.

Apoptosis of cardiomyocytes following ischemia and Apoptosis of cardiomyocytes following ischemia and known about the mechanism by which it is induced. Recently, essential roles of a Cl- channel whose activity triggers the apoptotic volume decrease and of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in activation of this channel have been identified in mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis. Therefore, in this study, involvement of Cl- channels and ROS in apoptosis was studied in primary mouse cardiomyocyte cultures subjected to ischemia-reperfusion. Apoptotic cell death as measured by caspase-3 activation, chromatin condensation, DNA laddering, and cell viability reduction was observed tens of hours after reperfusion but never immediately after ischemia. A non-selective Cl-channel blocker (DIDS or NPPB) rescued cells from apoptotic death when applied during the reperfusion, but not ischemia, period. Another blocker relatively specific to the volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying (VSOR) Cl-channel (phloretin) was also effective in protecting ischemic cardiomyocytes from apoptosis induced by reperfusion. A profound increase in intracellular ROS was detected in cardiomyocytes during the reperfusion, but not ischemia, period. Scavengers for ROS, H2O2 and superoxide all inhibited apoptosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion. Thus, it is concluded that the mechanism by which cardiomyocyte apoptosis is induced by ischemia-reperfusion involves VSOR Cl- channel activity and intracellular ROS production.