Patient-derived fibroblasts indicate oxidative stress status and may justify antioxidant therapy in OXPHOS disorders

A. M. Voets, P. J. Lindsey, Sabina J V Vanherle, E. D. Timmer, J. J. Esseling, Werner J. H. Koopman, P. H. G. M. Willems, G. C. Schoonderwoerd, P. De Groote, B.T. the Poll, Irenaeus F M de Coo, H. J. M. Smeets*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Oxidative phosphorylation disorders are often associated with increased oxidative stress and antioxidant therapy is frequently given as treatment. However, the role of oxidative stress in oxidative phosphorylation disorders or patients is far from clear and consequently the preventive or therapeutic effect of antioxidants is highly anecdotic. Therefore, we performed a systematic study of a panel of oxidative stress parameters (reactive oxygen species levels, damage and defense) in fibroblasts of twelve well-characterized oxidative phosphorylation patients with a defect in the POLG1 gene, in the mitochondrial DNA-encoded tRNA-Leu gene (m.3243A>G or m.3302A>G) and in one of the mitochondrial DNA-encoded NADH dehydrogenase complex 1 (Cl) subunits. All except two cell lines (one POLG1 and one tRNA-Leu) showed increased reactive oxygen species levels compared with controls, but only four (two Cl and two tRNA-Leu) cell lines provided evidence for increased oxidative protein damage. The absence of a correlation between reactive oxygen species levels and oxidative protein damage implies differences in damage prevention or correction. This was investigated by gene expression studies, which showed adaptive and compensating changes involving antioxidants and the unfolded protein response, especially in the POLG1 group. This study indicated that patients display individual responses and that detailed analysis of fibroblasts enables the identification of patients that potentially benefit from antioxidant therapy. Furthermore, the fibroblast model can also be used to search for and test novel, more specific antioxidants or explore ways to stimulate compensatory mechanisms.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1971-1978
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta-bioenergetics
Volume1817
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2012

Keywords

  • Oxidative stress
  • POLG1
  • Cl deficiency
  • MELAS
  • ROS
  • Protein carbonyls

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Patient-derived fibroblasts indicate oxidative stress status and may justify antioxidant therapy in OXPHOS disorders'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this