Melatonin Mediates Protective Effects against Kainic Acid-Induced Neuronal Death through Safeguarding ER Stress and Mitochondrial Disturbance.

Kainic acid (KA)-induced neuronal death is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress. Melatonin is known to protect hippocampal neurons from KA-induced apoptosis, but the exact mechanisms underlying melatonin protective effects against neuronal mitochondria disorder and ER stress remain uncertain. In this study, we investigated the sheltering roles of melatonin during KA-induced apoptosis by focusing on mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress mediated signal pathways. KA causes mitochondrial dynamic disorder and dysfunction through calpain activation, leading to neuronal apoptosis. Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM and calpain inhibitor calpeptin can significantly restore mitochondrial morphology and function. ER stress can also be induced by KA treatment. ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA) attenuates ER stress-mediated apoptosis and mitochondrial disorder. It is worth noting that calpain activation was also inhibited under PBA administration. Thus, we concluded that melatonin effectively inhibits KA-induced calpain upregulation/activation and mitochondrial deterioration by alleviating Ca2+ overload and ER stress.

Introduction

Neurodegeneration defines the progressive loss of function and structure of neurons that ultimately leads to neuronal death (Yildiz-Unal et al., 2015). Excitotoxicity is considered to be a major factor of neuronal death in acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Wang and Qin, 2010). Kainic acid (KA), an analog of glutamate, has been used to establish excitotoxicity models in vitro and in vivo (Sperk et al., 1983; Milatovic et al., 2001; Crespo-Biel et al., 2007; Wang et al., 2008; Li et al., 2010; Zhang and Zhu, 2011). KA associates with KA-type non-N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and causes depolarization of neurons, which can result in status epilepticus, neurodegeneration, and memory loss, etc. (Osada et al., 2010). Previous studies demonstrated that KA treatment induced neuronal apoptosis in the brain, particularly affecting neurons in the hippocampal regions (Wang et al., 2005).

The overstimulation of NMDA receptors by glutamate and its analog leads to increased levels of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) (Lai et al., 2014). Calcium is one of the most important signaling molecules in neurons. Maintenance of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis is crucial for neuronal viability and functions (Bahar et al., 2016). Ca2+ influx promotes the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), releases caspase cofactors into the cytoplasm and triggers the apoptotic cascade (Manev et al., 1989). Ca2+ overloading affects the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), which uncouples the respiratory chain and causes a decrease in ATP synthesis (Halestrap, 2009). Additionally, Ca2+ overloading increases the permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane and eventually leads to mitochondrial rupture and neuronal death (Golstein and Kroemer, 2007). Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles, undergoing continuous fission and fusion events which are critical for the maintenance of mitochondrial functions (Nasca et al., 2016). Mitochondrial fission and fusion require outer membrane fusion proteins, mitofusin 1 and 2 (Mfn-1, Mfn-2), inner membrane fusion protein optic atrophy type 1 (OPA-1), and fission protein dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp-1) (Zhao et al., 2013). Unopposed fission leads to fragmentation, whereas unopposed fusion causes over-elongation, both of which impair mitochondrial functions (Johri and Beal, 2012). In addition to mitochondrial morphology regulation, fission and fusion processes are also essential for maintaining various aspects of mitochondrial functions (Ishihara et al., 2006). The disruption mitochondrial dynamics impair mitochondrial function and cause cell death (Ishihara et al., 2006).

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is another vital organelle in eukaryotic cells. The ER is responsible for various cellular activities including membrane protein synthesis and maturation, lipid biogenesis, and regulation of Ca2+ levels (Bahar et al., 2016). ER stress is an adaptive response to restore ER homeostasis (Sano and Reed, 2013). However, prolonged ER stress will trigger apoptosis (Logue et al., 2013). Loss of cellular homeostasis induced Ca2+ deregulation can cause ER stress-mediated apoptosis in various pathological conditions (Kruman et al., 1998; Tombal et al., 1999; Pinton et al., 2008), which further contributes to pathophysiological conditions of neurodegenerative diseases (Lindholm et al., 2006).

As a glutamate analog, KA is able to cause excessive activation of glutamate receptors (Bleakman and Lodge, 1998). Glutamate receptor over-activation induces Ca2+ overloading and mitochondria functional collapse, leading to progressive neuronal death (McGeer and McGeer, 1978). KA induced Ca2+ influx also leads to ER membrane disintegration, ER stress and the generation of ROS, eventually leading to neuronal apoptosis and necrosis (Schinder et al., 1996; Nicholls, 2004; Kim et al., 2016). Therefore, we speculate that KA leads to neuronal apoptosis by triggering ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Melatonin (Mel), a tryptophan metabolite, is synthesized mainly by the pineal gland. Melatonin is involved in the biological regulation of circadian rhythms, sleep, moods, reproduction, tumor growth, and aging (Jean-Louis et al., 1998; Cajochen et al., 2003; Wu and Swaab, 2005; Park et al., 2010; Prieto-Domínguez et al., 2016). A previous study showed that melatonin could inhibit traumatic brain injury induced neuronal apoptosis (Mesenge et al., 1998). It has also been demonstrated that melatonin modulates Ca2+ levels and ROS production in a model of ischemia reperfusion stroke and helps to maintain the MMP in a model of oxygen and glucose deprivation (Hu et al., 2012; Gouriou et al., 2013; Li et al., 2014). All the evidence together suggests that the neuronal protective effects of melatonin might be associated with the modulation of intracellular Ca2+ levels and cellular homeostasis. Thus far, the mechanisms of how melatonin protects neurons from KA-induced apoptosis remain elusive. In this study, we show that KA affects neuron viability by Ca2+ overloading and mitochondrial/ER dysfunction pathways. Melatonin enacts protective effects against KA-induced neuronal apoptosis by attenuating calpain activation-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and the ER stress cascade.

Materials and Methods

Cell Preparation

Mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells (N2a cells) were cultured with 1:1 mixture of DMEM and Opti-MEM containing 5% fetal bovine serum (Gibco, Grand Island, NY, USA) in a humified incubator aerated with 95% air and 5% CO2 at 37°C. The medium was replaced every other day, and cells were plated at an appropriate density according to each experimental scale.

In experiment 1, N2a cells were treated with KA at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, and 100 μM for 8 h. 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay (Solarbio, Beijing, China) and crystal violet assay (Solarbio, Beijing, China) were performed to detect viability of cells. Release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was detected by using LDH Cytotoxicity Detection Kit (Dojindo, Japan). To assay melatonin effects, N2a cells were pre-treated with melatonin at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, and 100 μM for 1 h before KA was added into the medium. The MTT, crystal violet and LDH assay were performed after the KA treatment.

All animal handling and surgeries were performed in accordance with the Care Standards of Laboratory Animals (China Ministry of Health Publication, 2001). Primary hippocampus neurons were prepared from 2-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats using the described protocols, with modifications (Isaev et al., 2002). The tissue was briefly digested with 0.25% trypsin in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 20 min at 37°C followed by mechanical dissociation. Hippocampal neurons were seeded in poly-L-lysine-coated plates (120,000 cells/cm2) and grown in neurobasal medium with B-27 serum-free supplement (Gibco, Grand Island, NY, USA), 100 U/mL penicillin, 100 g/mL streptomycin, and 2 mM L-glutamine. The cultures were maintained in a humid incubator aerated with 95% air and 5% CO2 at 37°C. The medium was changed starting from day 4 by replacing half of the medium twice a week. Serum-free primary hippocampal cultures were utilized for the experiments after 8 days.

In experiment 2, the primary hippocampus neurons were pre-treated with or without melatonin (50 μM) for 1 h, and then stimulated with KA (50 μM) for 8 h. Melatonin (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) was first dissolved in absolute ethanol at a concentration of 50 mM and diluted with culture medium to the final concentration. KA (Abcam, Cambridge, MA, USA) was first dissolved in DMSO at a concentration of 100 mM and then diluted with culture medium to the final concentration. Corresponding dilutions of ethanol and DMSO were given to the control group.

In experiment 3, the N2a cells were pre-treated with or without calpeptin (Cal, an calpain inhibitor, 20 μM, Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA), BAPTA-AM (an Calcium chelating agent, 2.5 μM, Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) and sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) (Ye et al., 2014), an ER stress inhibitor, 1 mM (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) for 1 h, and then treated with KA (50 μM) for 8 h.

Calpeptin and BAPTA-AM were dissolved in DMSO as stock solutions at concentrations of 20 and 5 mM, then further diluted with the cell culture medium to final concentrations of 20 and 2.5 μM. PBA was first dissolved in DMSO as stock solution at a concentration of 200 mM then diluted to 1 mM with culture medium. Corresponding dilutions of DMSO were given to the control group.

Animals and Treatments

Adult male C57BL/6 mice, weighing 25 ± 2 g, were supplied by the Experimental Animal Center of Tongji Medical College. All experimental procedures were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology and were performed in compliance with National Institutes of Health guidelines on the ethical use of animals. The mice were housed five per cage in a room maintained at 22 ± 2°C with an alternating 12-h light–dark cycle. Food and water were available ad libitum.

Mice were divided randomly into four groups: KA-only group (KA), melatonin (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) administration prior to KA group (Mel+KA), melatonin only group (Mel) and vehicle-treated control group (Con). Based on a previous study, mice were treated with an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 30 mg/kg KA (Abcam, Cambridge, MA, USA) emulsified in 0.9% normal saline (Crespo-Biel et al., 2010). Melatonin was dissolved in absolute ethanol and diluted in saline to a final concentration of 2% ethanol before injection.

The mice in the Mel+KA group were given intraperitoneal injections of melatonin 20 mg/kg once, 30 min before the injection of KA on the first day and a single dose per day for a total of 3 days (Jain et al., 2013). As melatonin was dissolved in 2% ethanol, the control group mice received intraperitoneal injections of 2% ethanol at the same time with the same volume (0.1 mL). The mice in each group (n = 12) were euthanized on the 4th day after KA treatment (Figure ).

All mice were euthanized under anesthesia using 10% chloral hydrate after KA treatment, and the hippocampal tissue was harvested for further tests.

RNA Isolation and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Quantification

Total RNA was isolated from the N2a cells by using RNase Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA, USA) following the manufacturer’s instructions. Primer sequences (Greene et al., 2015) were listed in Table .

All of the primers were synthesized by Sangon Biotech (Shanghai, China). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for cDNA analysis was conducted at 60–95°C for 45 cycles on a Sequence Detection System (ABI Prism 7000, Applied Biosystems, Darmstadt, Germany) following the manufacturer’s instructions and using SYBR Green Reaction Master Mix (TaKaRa, Dalian, China). For each sample, VDAC-1 or GAPDH served as the housekeeping gene. Fold-change expression was calculated from the threshold cycle (Ct) values. For calculation of relative changes, gene expression measured in control tissues was taken as the baseline value.

Western Blotting

Total proteins were extracted by using a protein extraction kit (Pierce, IL, USA) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Protein extracts were dissolved in 15% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel, and then transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane at 150 mA. After being blocked with 5% non-fat skim milk [diluted with Tris-buffered saline containing 0.1% Tween 20 (TBST)] for 1 h at room temperature, the membrane containing the protein extracts was incubated overnight with primary antibody (diluted with 2% bovine serum albumin in TBST) at 4°C. The following primary antibodies were used: anti-GAPDH (1:3000, Abcam, Santa Cruz, CA, USA); anti-GRP78 (1:2000, Abcam, Cambridge, MA, USA); anti-CHOP (1:500, Abcam, Cambridge, MA, USA); anti-Mfn-1 (1:1000, Abcam, Cambridge, MA, USA), anti-Mfn-2 (1:1000, Abcam, Cambridge, MA, USA), anti-OPA-1 (1:1000, CST, Danvers, MA, USA), anti-Drp-1 (1:1000, Santa Cruz, CA, USA), anti-calpain (1:1000, Santa Cruz, CA, USA); anti-Cyt C (1:1000, Santa Cruz, CA, USA); anti-cleaved caspase-12 (1:1000, CST, Danvers, MA, USA) and anti-cleaved caspase-3 (1:1000, CST, Danvers, MA, USA), anti-cleaved caspase-9 (1:1000, CST, Danvers, MA, USA) and anti-VDAC-1(1:1500, Abcam, Cambridge, MA, USA). On the second day, proteins were visualized using the enhanced chemiluminescence detection system (Pierce, IL, USA) after incubating with respective horseradish peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibodies (1:1000, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Buckinghamshire, UK) and then exposed to medical x-ray film. The intensity of the blots was quantified using a gel-image analyzer (JS380; Peiqing Science and Technology, Shanghai, China).

Calpain Activity Assay

The calpain activity was measured using Calpain Substrate II Kit (Merck Millipore, Darmstadt, Germany). Cells were washed twice with PBS and lysed on ice with extraction buffer. The total protein extracted (50 μg) was incubated with 150 μL substrate and 1 mL reaction buffer for 100 min at 37°C. The release of 7-amino-4-methyl-coumarin (AMC) from the reaction was monitored at an emission of 440 nm using a fluorescence spectrometer. Fluorescence units were converted into AMC release using the standard curve. Activity of calpain was expressed and documented in pmol of AMC cleaved per minute per milligram of protein.

Time-Lapse Imaging and Mitochondrial Morphology Analyses

To observe the changes in the mitochondrial morphology in N2a cells, the KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells were incubated with the MitoTracker Red CMXRos probe (250 nM) (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) for 30 min at 37°C. After being washed three times in cold PBS, the cells were visualized under a Nikon C2 confocal laser scanning microscope (Nikon, Tokyo, Japan) with excitation of 579 nm and emission greater than 599 nm. For morphological quantification in neurites, z-sections were merged (using maximal projection) and the entire length (from tip to tip) of MitoTracker Red labeled mitochondria of neurites was measured. In cell bodies, mitochondria length was measured in each z-section of the entire soma. Quantification of mitochondria length was performed by using ImageJ software as previously described (De Vos and Sheetz, 2007). The number of mitochondria was counted in control N2a cells (n = 50) and experimental groups (n = 40). Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA analysis.

JC-1 Dye Membrane Potential Staining

Mitochondrial membrane potential in N2a cells was measured by using MMP assay kit with JC-1 (Beyotime Biotechnology, Shanghai, China). All procedures followed the manufacture’s instructions. The fluorescence intensities were measured using a fluorescence plate reader at 590 nm (red) and 529 nm (green). According to the ratio of fluorescence intensities at 590 and 529 nm, the loss of MMP was assessed and recorded.

TUNEL Assay

Apoptosis was assessed by detecting DNA fragmentation through TUNEL staining. TUNEL staining for apoptotic cells were performed in accordance the manufacturer’s instructions (Roche Corporation, Germany). The N2a cells growing on the cover glass slide were fixed. Endogenous peroxidase activity was inhibited by immersing the sections in methanol with 0.3% H2O2 for 20 min at room temperature. After washing with distilled water and 0.01 M PBS, the slides were soaked in TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase) buffer at room temperature for 15 min and then incubated with TdT buffer containing 5 U TdT enzyme and 0.5 nmol biotinylated 16-dUTP in a humidified chamber for 1 h at 37°C. The reaction was terminated by adding 2× sodium saline citrate (SSC). The sections were then incubated with HRP-conjugated streptavidin according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Colorimetric development of the reaction was done by incubation in DAB (diaminobenzidine) solution for 5 min. For the negative control slides, either TdT enzyme or biotinylated 16-dUTP was omitted in the labeling reaction. The specimens in all groups (n = 3) were observed using an upright microscope (OLYMPUS BX53F, Japan) and in at least six random fields of high-power (×100).

ROS Determination

N2a cells were labeled with DCFH-DA (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) (10 μM) for 30 min after KA treatment (Liu et al., 2015). ROS generation was indicated by green florescence and visualized using a fluorescence microscope (Olympus, Japan). The fluorescence in each group was assessed by flow cytometry with an excitation wavelength of 488 nm and an emission wavelength of 525 nm.

Transmission Electron Microscope

To determine the effects of KA and melatonin on the morphology of mitochondria, we conducted transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of N2a cells from control and experimental treatments (n = 4). N2a cells were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and post-fixed in 2% OsO4 at room temperature. Cellular staining was performed at 4°C for 2 h in 2% uranyl acetate in the dark. Samples were rinsed in sodium phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 7.2), dehydrated in ethanol and infiltrated overnight in Araldite. Following polymerization, embedded samples were detached from the chamber slide and glued to Araldite blocks. Serial semi-thin (1.5 mm) sections were mounted onto slides and stained with 1% toluidine blue. The selected semi-thin sections were glued (Super Glue, Loctite) to araldite blocks and detached from the glass slide. Ultrathin (0.07 mm) sections were prepared and stained with lead citrate. Finally, photomicrographs were obtained under a TEM using a digital camera (Hitachi, Japan).

Intracellular Ca2+ Measurement

Intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) was measured as previously described (Blatter and Wier, 1990). To measure the acute effect of KA on [Ca2+]i change, N2a cells were grown on cover slides and washed three times with 2 μM Fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester (Fura-2 AM) in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS, containing 145 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 1 mM MgCl2, 2 mM CaCl2, 0.75 mM Na2HPO4, 10 mM glucose, and 10 mM HEPES, pH 7.4). N2a cells were then incubated in the same solution for 30 min at 37°C. In calcium-free experiments, EGTA (100 μM) was substituted by CaCl2.

Before each experiment, the cover slides were mounted on a chamber positioned on the movable stage of an inverted Olympus IX-70 microscope equipped with a calcium imaging system (TILL Photonics Gmbh, Germany) and super fused by HBSS for 10 min. Fura-2 AM loaded cells were illuminated at 340 nm for 150 ms and 380 nm for 50 ms at 1 s intervals using a TILL polychrome monochromator. Fura-2 fluorescence emission was imaged at 510 nm by a cooled-CCD (TILL Photonics Gmbh, Germany) through a X-70 Fluor oil immersion lens (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) and a 460 nm long pass barrier filter. F340/F380 fluorescence ratios were generated by Olympus software. Paired F340/F380 fluorescence ratio images were acquired every 3 s for [Ca2+]i. In the experiment, the ratio between F380 of Ca2+ free solutions and F380 of high calcium medium was recorded as coefficient factor β. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) = Kd × β × [(Ratio-Rmin)/(Rmax-Ratio)], a constant Kd is the dissociation constant of Fura-2 AM for Ca2+ and was assumed to be 224 at 37°C. Rmax is the ratio obtained after ionomycin treatment. Rmin is the ratio obtained from Ca2+ free solution.

Data was obtained by evaluating the fluorescence immediately after KA stimulation with subtraction of background fluorescence and division by the fluorescence intensity before KA stimulation. For the melatonin treatment groups, melatonin (50 μM) was added to dishes 1 h before KA stimulation.

ATP Measurement

The concentration of ATP was determined by using ATP determination kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Waltham, MA, USA). All procedures followed the manufacture’s instructions. Samples were incubated with ATP reaction mixture for 30 min and detected at 560 nm. A standard curve was established to calculate the concentration of samples.

Neuronal Loss Assay

Hippocampal tissues were embedded and sectioned at 10 μm, with three independent samples for each group. After staining with 1% toluidine blue for 15 min, the sections were dehydrated and mounted for microscopic examination. CA3 areas of the hippocampus were examined with an Olympus AX-70 microscope equipped with a motorized stage (Olympus, Astoria, NY, USA). Images were captured at 20× magnification in every section. For each independent sample, surviving neurons exhibiting normal morphology with positive blue staining Nissl bodies were included in counts.

Statistical Analysis

Data was expressed as mean ± standard deviation and analyzed using SPSS 10.0 statistical software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The one-way analysis of variance followed by least significant difference post hoc test was used to determine the significance of differences among groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.001).

Results

Melatonin Remarkably Mitigates KA-Induced Apoptosis

Kainic acid is an analog of glutamate with the capability of associating with specific KA-type non-NMDA receptors. KA has been reported to induce status epilepticus, neurodegeneration and memory loss (Sperk et al., 1983). To validate the neuronal toxicity of KA, we treated N2a cells with KA at a series of concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100 μM). In MTT and crystal violet assays, KA decreased cell metabolism and cell viability in a dose-dependent manner (Figures ). KA application elicited the activation of caspases and the release of cytochrome C (Cyt C), which are the characteristic phenotypes of apoptosis (Figures ). In the assays, we noticed that application of 50 or 100 μM of KA induced significant apoptosis and toxicity. There were no detectable differences between these doses on cell viability and the release of LDH (Figures ).

Melatonin mitigates kainic acid (KA)-induced N2a cells apoptosis. (A) N2a cells viability were assayed by MTT after treatment with 0, 25, 50, 100 μM KA. (B) N2a cells viability were assayed by crystal violet after treatment with 0, 25, 50, 100 μM KA. (C) N2a cells viability were assayed by MTT after treatment with both melatonin and KA. (D) N2a cells viability were assayed by crystal violet after treatment with both melatonin and KA. (E) LDH release after treatment with 0, 25, 50, 100 μM KA. (F) LDH release after treatment with both melatonin and KA. (G,H) N2a cells apoptosis was assayed by tunnel staining. (I) The levels of c-caspase-12, -9, -3 and Cyt C in N2a cells. (J) Expression analysis of c-caspase-12, -9, -3 and Cyt C ( < 0.05, < 0.01, < 0.001 vs. controls; < 0.05, < 0.01, < 0.001 vs. the KA group; significant difference from the respective values determined by one-way analysis of variance test. n = 3 for western blots and tunnel assay).

To determine whether melatonin could inhibit the apoptosis of N2a cells, we added different concentrations (50 and 100 μM) of melatonin into cell cultures. As shown in Figures , melatonin addition greatly decreased the expression of c-caspase-3 (cleaved caspase-3), c-caspase-12, c-caspase-9, and Cyt C. The inhibitory effect of melatonin on cell apoptosis was also assessed by TUNEL assay (Figures ). We observed that 50 μM melatonin was enough to regain cell viability and reduce LDH release effectively (Figures ). The cell viability and LDH release results between application of 50 and 100 μM melatonin were not significantly different.

To determine whether KA affects neuronal viability in vivo, we analyzed neuronal loss in KA and/or melatonin treated C57BL/6 mice. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were treated with an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 30 mg/kg KA. The mice in the Mel+KA group were given intraperitoneal injections of 20 mg/kg melatonin 30 min before KA injection, and an additional dose on day 2 and day 3 (Figure ). Hippocampal tissues were stained with toluidine blue. We examined CA3 areas of the hippocampus and counted the surviving neurons with blue Nissl bodies (Figure ). Melatonin application greatly increased the density of surviving neurons (Figure ), indicating that melatonin functions autonomously in the hippocampus to promote the survival of neurons. Next, we assayed the expression of c-caspase-12, -9, -3 in hippocampal tissue and primary neurons. Similar to the N2a cells results, quantitative analysis of expression levels of c-caspase-12, -9, -3 in both hippocampal tissue and primary neurons showed that melatonin significantly reduced the levels of c-caspase-3, c-caspase-12, and c-caspase-9 in vivo (Figures ).

Melatonin reduces KA-induced neuron loss The administration procedure of melatonin and KA in C57 BL/6 mice. (B) Nissil’s staining assay was used to examine neuronal loss in KA and/or melatonin treated animals hippocampus tissue. Neuron numbers in hippocampus CA3 area were quantified in (C). (D,E) Expression levels of c-caspase-12, -9, -3 in hippocampal tissues and primary neurons. ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001 vs. controls; #P < 0.05, ##P < 0.01, ###P < 0.001 vs. the KA group; significant difference from the respective values determined by one-way analysis of variance test. n = 7 for Nissil’s staining; n = 3 for western blots.

Melatonin Ameliorates KA-Induced Mitochondrial Fragmentation and Dysfunction

Mitochondria defects are closely associated with apoptosis (Chen et al., 2007). To examine the integrity of mitochondria in KA-treated N2a cells, we first used TEM to assay the ultrastructure of mitochondria in N2a cells (Figure ). We observed that mitochondria in the KA-treated group presented swelling, crest fracture, and disappearance (Figure ). Next, we also assessed the mitochondrial morphology changes. We found that the mitochondria displayed canonical tubular patterns under physiological conditions (control group), while KA exposed mitochondria turned into puncta-like fragments (Figure ). The average length of mitochondria was shorter after KA treatment compared to that of the control group mitochondria (Figure ). These observations indicate the occurrence of mitochondrial fragmentation. Also, we assayed the morphology of mitochondria in KA and/or melatonin-treated rat primary neurons. Consistently, melatonin ameliorates KA-induced mitochondrial fragmentation. The number and the average length of mitochondria in both KA and melatonin-treated group were significantly restored compared to that of the mitochondria in the KA-only group (Supplementary Figures ).

Melatonin ameliorates KA-induced mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction. (A) Transmission electron microscope images of mitochondrial ultrastructure in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells. (B) The morphology of mitochondria stained by mito-tracker in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells. (C) Numbers of mitochondria in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells. (D) Average length of mitochondria in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells. (E) Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells. (F) ROS production in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells. (G) ATP concentration in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells ( < 0.01 vs. controls; < 0.01 vs. the KA group; significant difference from the respective values determined by one-way analysis of variance test. n = 3).

In addition to the morphological impairments, we also observed a decrease in the average number of mitochondria per cell in the KA-treated group (Figure ). To examine if KA affects mitochondrial functions, we assayed the levels of ROS, ATP and the MMP in N2a cells. As shown in Figures , KA treatment caused ROS accumulation, MMP collapse and a decrease in ATP production, indicating the loss of mitochondrial functions.

In an effort to characterize the protective effects of melatonin on mitochondria, we examined the subcellular pattern of mitochondria in both KA and melatonin-treated groups. Melatonin application significantly ameliorated KA-induced mitochondria morphological changes and ROS level spikes. In addition, melatonin restored ATP production and MMP in both KA and melatonin-treated groups. These observations indicate that melatonin is an effective inhibitor of KA-induced mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction.

Melatonin Relieves KA-Induced Mfn-2 Degradation

As highly dynamic organelles, mitochondria undergo continuous fission and fusion events (Nicholls, 2004). Unopposed fission leads to fragmentation, whereas unopposed fusion results in abnormal elongation, both of which would greatly impair mitochondrial functions (Johri and Beal, 2012). Mitochondrial fission and fusion are tightly regulated by mitochondrial fission and fusion proteins. Drp-1 is required for fission (Shen et al., 2014), while Mfn-1, Mfn-2, and OPA-1 are critical for fusion (Chen and Chan, 2009). In addition to morphology maintenance, fission and fusion processes are essential for various aspects of mitochondrial function (Ishihara et al., 2006). The disruption of mitochondrial dynamics causes its morphological and functional impairments (Ishihara et al., 2006).

Our evidence suggests that mitochondrial morphology and functions can be affected by KA treatment. To determine whether KA perturbs mitochondrial dynamic regulators’ homeostasis, we examined the expression levels of proteins involved in mitochondrial fusion and fission. The protein level of Mfn-2 decreased significantly after KA treatment, while the levels of Drp-1, OPA-1, and Mfn-1 remained unchanged (Figures ). Next, we examined the mRNA levels of these factors. Surprisingly, the mRNA levels of all proteins remained unaffected (Figure ). As suggested by previous study (Wang et al., 2015), KA probably decreased the protein levels of Mfn-2 by prompting protein degradation but not by blocking expression. Furthermore, application of melatonin reversed the protein levels of Mfn-2 in N2a cells, which is consistent with the protective effects of melatonin on mitochondrial morphology and functions (Figures ). Therefore, we speculate that the inhibitory role of melatonin on mitochondrial dysfunction could be the alleviation of mitochondrial dynamic defects.

Melatonin relieves KA-induced Mfn-2 degradation. (A) Expression of OPA-1, Drp-1, Mfn-1, and Mfn-2 in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells. (B) Relative protein level of OPA-1, Drp-1, Mfn-1, and Mfn-2 in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells. (C) Relative mRNA level of OPA1, Drp-1, Mfn-1, and Mfn-2 in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells ( < 0.01 vs. controls; < 0.01 vs. the KA group; significant difference from the respective values determined by one-way analysis of variance test. n = 3).

Melatonin Alleviates KA-Induced Increased Ca2+ Levels and Calpain Activation

Ca2+ homeostasis disorder was observed in a variety of diseases (Wrogemann and Pena, 1976). Upon overstimulation of NMDA receptors, Ca2+ accumulates abnormally and impairs mitochondrial function, leading to a decrease in ATP production and an increased release of ROS (Halestrap, 2009). To try to understand the molecular mechanism underlying mitochondrial defect relief by melatonin treatment, we assayed intracellular Ca2+ concentration and calpain activity. As shown in Figures , after KA treatment, intracellular Ca2+ was remarkably increased compared to the control group (∼6 fold increase). In contrast, melatonin treatment effectively decreased the levels of intracellular Ca2+ in KA and melatonin-treated N2a cells (Figures and Supplementary Figures ). Due to the Ca2+ influx, the activity of calpain increased ∼3 fold in the KA-treated group. Melatonin treatment significantly decreased the abnormally elevated activity of calpain (Figure ). Together with the inhibitory effect of melatonin on Ca2+ influx, our results suggest that melatonin could alleviate KA induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis through attenuating increased Ca2+ levels and calpain activation.

Melatonin alleviates KA-induced Ca Fura-2 AM probe was used to determine real-time Ca2+ concentration in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells. (B) Concentration of total intracellular Ca2+ in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells. (C) Relative activity of calpain in KA and/or melatonin-treated N2a cells ( < 0.01 vs. controls; < 0.01 vs. the KA group; significant difference from the respective values determined by one-way analysis of variance test. n = 3 for Ca2+ image; n = 5 for activity assay).

Blocking KA-Induced Ca2+ Increase and Calpain Activation Can Effectively Relieve Mitochondrial Defects

Our evidence suggests that the inhibitory effects on Ca2+ overloading and calpain activation by melatonin could account for the alleviation of KA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. To determine if the mitochondrial impairments were due to Ca2+ overloading and calpain activation, we used calpeptin and BAPTA-AM to inhibit calpain activity and Ca2+ overloading, then examined the levels of Mfn-2 and caspase-3. We observed that both calpeptin and BAPTA-AM fully reversed the decrease in Mfn-2 and increase in cleaved caspase-3 in KA-treated cells (Figures ). Furthermore, applications of either calpeptin or BAPTA-AM led to significant improvements in mitochondrial functions and morphology (Figures ). In addition, calpeptin or BAPTA-AM treatments decreased ROS production, restored ATP and MMP levels, and improved the number and morphology of mitochondria. Together, the data indicates that the KA-induced mitochondrial defects were due to increased Ca2+ levels and calpain activation. Melatonin treatment can greatly restore mitochondrial dynamics by inhibiting aberrant Ca2+ levels and calpain activation.

Blocking KA-induced Ca Expression levels of Mfn-2 and c-caspase-3 in KA, KA+calpeptin treated N2a cells. (C,D) Expression level of Mfn-2 and c-caspase-3 in KA, KA+BAPTA-AM treated N2a cells. (E) Number of mitochondria in KA, KA+calpeptin treated N2a cells. (F) Average length of mitochondria in KA, KA+calpeptin treated N2a cells. (G) MMP was assayed by ratio of red/green fluorescence intensity in KA, KA+calpeptin treated N2a cells. (H) Relative production of ROS in KA, KA+calpeptin treated N2a cells. (I) Relative production of ATP in KA, KA+calpeptin treated N2a cells. (J) Mitochondria number in KA, KA+BAPTA-AM treated N2a cells. (K) Average length of mitochondria in KA, KA+BAPTA-AM treated N2a cells. (L) MMP in KA, KA+BAPTA-AM treated N2a cells. (M) Relative production of ROS in KA, KA+BAPTA-AM treated N2a cells. (N) Relative production of ATP in KA, KA+BAPTA-AM treated N2a cells ( < 0.05, < 0.01 vs. controls; < 0.05, < 0.01 vs. the KA group; significant difference from the respective values determined by one-way analysis of variance test. n = 3).

KA-Induced ER Stress Contributes to Mitochondrial Defects and Apoptosis and Melatonin Can Effectively Suppress ER Stress

Upon activation by intracellular Ca2+ overloading, calpain participates in a series of physiological and pathological processes, including ER stress (Wu and Lynch, 2006). Specifically, calpain activates the expression of GRP78, CHOP, and eventually triggers apoptosis regulators including caspase-12 and caspase-3 (Chakraborti et al., 2012). After KA treatment, the levels of calpain, GRP78, CHOP and c-caspase-12 significantly increased (Figures ). These observations suggest that the apoptosis after KA treatment could be partially due to ER stress. Further analyses show that melatonin or PBA application effectively downregulated the increased levels of Ca2+ and ER stress related proteins in the KA group (Figures ).

Kainic acid-induced ER stress contributes to mitochondrial defects and apoptosis and melatonin can effectively suppress ER stress. (A,B) Expression levels of GRP78, CHOP, calpain, c-caspase-12 in KA and/or melatonin treated N2a cells. (C,D) Expression levels of GRP78, CHOP, calpain, c-caspase-12 in KA and/or PBA treated N2a cells. (E,F) Fura-2 AM probe was used to measure real-time Ca2+ concentration in KA and/or PBA treated N2a cells. (G,H) Expression levels of Mfn-2 and c-caspase-3 in KA, KA+PBA treated N2a cells. (I) Mitochondria number in KA, KA+PBA treated N2a cells. (J) Average length of mitochondria in KA, KA+PBA treated N2a cells. (K) MMP in KA, KA+PBA treated N2a cells. (L) Relative production of ROS in KA, KA+PBA treated N2a cells. (M) Relative content of ATP in KA, KA+PBA treated N2a cells ( < 0.05, < 0.01, < 0.001 vs. controls; < 0.05, < 0.01 vs. the KA group; significant difference from the respective values determined by one-way analysis of variance test. n = 3).

Thus far, our results suggest that melatonin could inhibit apoptosis through regulating ER stress as well. To determine if ER stress also participates in the modulation of mitochondrial dynamics, we examined the levels of Mfn-2 and caspase-3, ROS production, MMP, ATP production and mitochondria morphology in N2a cells (Figures ). PBA administration greatly alleviated the KA-induced degradation of Mfn-2, indicating that inhibiting ER stress contributes to the protective effects of melatonin on mitochondrial dynamics (Figures ). Also, the decreased ROS levels and improved ATP production/MMP/mitochondria morphology suggest that KA-induced ER stress contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis, and that melatonin can improve mitochondrial functions via ER stress inhibition (Figures ).

To examine the ER stress alleviation effects of melatonin in vivo, we assayed the expression levels of GRP78, CHOP and calpain in KA and/or melatonin-treated C57BL/6 mice. Consistent with the results in N2a cells, KA induced GRP78, CHOP and calpain overexpression were effectively reduced in vivo (Figures ). Increased calpain activity was also suppressed after melatonin application (Figure ).

Melatonin suppressed KA-induced ER stress Expression of GRP78, CHOP and calpain in KA and/or melatonin-treated animals hippocampus. (B) Relative analysis of the expression levels of GRP78, CHOP and calpain in KA and/or melatonin-treated animals hippocampus. (C) Relative activity of calpain in KA and/or melatonin-treated animals hippocampus. ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001 vs. controls; #P < 0.05, ##P < 0.01 vs. the KA group; significant difference from the respective values determined by one-way analysis of variance test. n = 3 for western blots; n = 5 for calpain activity assay.

Discussion

Previous studies indicated that excitotoxicity contributes to the neurodegenerative processes (Dong et al., 2009). Glutamate and related excitatory amino acids can induce neuronal apoptosis when administered both in vivo and in vitro (Reynolds and Hastings, 1995; Ding et al., 2015). In the present study, KA caused neuronal apoptosis and cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner (Figure ). After KA treatment, we observed the release of Cyt C along with the activation of caspases, which act as terminal executors in the apoptosis pathway (Cohen, 1997). We observed the activation of caspase-12 and caspase-9, which participate in ER stress-mediated and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathways, respectively (Figures ) (Garcia de la Cadena and Massieu, 2016). These results suggest that ER stress and mitochondrial damages are both responsible for KA-induced neuronal apoptosis (Figure ).

Functional model of melatonin protecting effects against KA-induced neuronal death. KA treatment causes Ca2+ hike and ER stress, leading to Calpain upregulation and activation. Upregulated calpain activity will eventually result in mitochondrial dysfunction, Caspases activation and neuronal apoptosis. Melatonin can effectively inhibit KA-induced calpain upregulation/activation and mitochondrial deterioration by alleviating Ca2+ overload and ER stress. Arrows indicate positive regulation, and blocks indicate negative regulation.

Calcium homeostasis is central to various cellular functions (Berridge et al., 2000). Calcium overload will impair cellular health, resulting in massive activation of proteases, phospholipases and cell death (Pinton et al., 2008). It was reported that the excessive accumulation of cytosolic Ca2+ can affect the scavenging roles of mitochondria and might lead to mitochondrial stress, including increases in mitochondrial ROS production and the collapse of mitochondrial membrane permeability (Mallilankaraman et al., 2012). ER is well-known to effectively buffer the cytosolic calcium concentration, mitochondria also participates in maintaining the cellular Ca2+ homeostasis (Pinton et al., 2008). Calcium transport from the ER to mitochondria plays a significant role in regulating cellular bioenergetics, ROS production and apoptosis induction. Mitochondria-associated ER-membranes (MAMs) may play a special role in the ER-mitochondria crosstalk (Marchi et al., 2014).

Recent report indicated that, in neurons, acute exposure to glutamate causes Parkin translocation to mitochondria in a calcium- and NMDA receptor-dependent manner. Parkin accumulates on MAMs following excitotoxicity, supporting a role of Parkin in ER-mitochondria crosstalk in mitochondrial homeostasis (Van Laar et al., 2015). Some MAMs proteins have been involved in mitochondrial dynamic fusion and fission including the mitofusin Mfn-2. Mfn-2 is enriched at the MAMs and its absence affects mitochondrial morphology and function (de Brito and Scorrano, 2008). Additionally, ER-located Mfn-2 is required for the connection with mitochondria by interacting directly with Mfn-1 or Mfn-2 on the mitochondria. The decrease in Mfn-2 could decrease Ca2+ traffic to the mitochondria (Guo et al., 2007). A very recent study showed that calpain activation in response to glutamate could result in post-translational protein degradation of Mfn-2, which is a novel mechanism regulating mitochondrial fusion during glutamate excitotoxicity (Wang et al., 2015). Similarly, we observed that Mfn-2 protein levels decreased while its mRNA level remained unchanged after KA treatment (Figure ), suggesting that NMDA receptor activation by various ligands will result in the post-translational degradation of Mfn-2 and mitochondrial disorders in a like manner.

Kainic acid causes Ca2+ influx in N2a cells (Figure ), which leads to activation of calpain and progressive neuronal death through mitochondria functional collapse (Harraz et al., 2012; Celso Constantino et al., 2014). Calpain belongs to the family of calcium-dependent non-lysosomal cysteine proteases, which is known to be involved in cytoskeleton and membrane attachments, signal transduction pathways, and apoptosis (McConkey and Orrenius, 1994; Chakraborti et al., 2012). In this study, the activity of calpain increased in response to KA-induced Ca2+ accumulation. To assay whether Ca2+ causes mitochondrial disorder through calpain activation, we used BAPTA-AM and calpeptin to inhibit the Ca2+ overloading and calpain activation. Both BAPTA-AM and calpeptin successfully inhibited the degradation of Mfn-2 and restored the normal amount and morphology of the mitochondria (Figure ). These data further demonstrated that calpain activation by Ca2+ influx results in the post-translational degradation of Mfn-2 and mitochondrial impairments. Our study also suggests that ER stress plays a role in the mitochondrial disorder. ER stress inhibitor PBA decreased the expression of calpain and Ca2+ concentration. PBA also alleviated the degradation of Mfn-2 and inhibited the activation of caspase-3, restoring the function and morphology of mitochondria (Figure ). These results reveal that mitochondrial dynamic impairment could be partially attributed to ER stress. All these observations suggest that the mitochondrial dynamic disorder was due to the aberrant degradation of Mfn-2 by calpain upregulation and activation, and that mitochondrial dysfunction could be the result of a defect in mitochondrial fusion (Figure ).

Our study also suggested that ER stress also participates in KA-induced apoptosis directly. The activation of caspase-12 indicates the activation of the ER stress pathway (Figures , caspase-12 pathway on the right side). As a proapoptotic unfolded protein response (UPR) factor, CHOP could also be activated by persistent ER stress (Malhi and Kaufman, 2011). KA treatment enhances the expression of GRP78 and CHOP, which could be activated by the UPR (Zheng et al., 2015). The simultaneous increases in expression of GRP78, CHOP and caspase-12 in the KA-treated group suggested that ER stress is involved in apoptosis directly (Figure ).

Melatonin is a naturally occurring molecule with antioxidant properties (Hardeland, 2005; Reiter et al., 2009; Galano et al., 2011, 2013). Melatonin and its metabolites have the ability to scavenge ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) (Galano et al., 2013). As a broad spectrum antioxidant (Zhang and Zhang, 2014; Manchester et al., 2015), melatonin has pleiotropic effects as well as neuroprotective properties (Negi et al., 2011; Miller et al., 2014). Melatonin acts against the elevation of lipid peroxidation induced by either KA or NMDA. Melatonin also blocked both KA- and NMDA-receptor mediated neuronal damage (Kim and Kwon, 1999). In addition, melatonin attenuates morphine-induced NMDA receptor subtype NR1 expression and decreases calcium concentration via modulating PKCγ activities in the spinal cord (Song et al., 2015). Accumulating evidence emphasizes contributions of melatonin toward the maintenance of ER and mitochondrial homeostasis, which made it an increasingly interesting pharmacological agent against neurodegenerative diseases (Hu et al., 2016; Uguz et al., 2016).

At the subcellular level, melatonin was found to attenuate methamphetamine-induced translocation of mitochondrial fission proteins, cytosolic calcium overload and cell death in SH-SY5Y cells (Parameyong et al., 2015). Melatonin can also suppress methamphetamine-triggered ER stress in C6 cells (Tungkum et al., 2017).

In our study, melatonin can effectively inhibit KA-induced calpain upregulation/activation and mitochondrial deterioration by alleviating Ca2+ overload and ER stress. Specifically, melatonin reduced the expression of c-caspase-9 and c-caspase-12 after KA treatment (Figures ), indicating the inhibitory effect on both mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress related apoptosis pathways. Taken together, our study supported the hypothesis that melatonin has beneficial roles in countering neuronal death through blocking Ca2+ overload and ER stress.

Author Contributions

FX and CS carried out cell culture, biochemical measurements and drafted the manuscript. They contributed equally to the work. WH carried out confocal imaging and the analysis of mitochondria dynamics. LX carried out ATP production assay. YW carried out calpain activity assay. ST participated in the preparation of manuscript. JZ participated in the measurement of LDH and cell viability. QC performed the statistical analysis. AS participated in the design and preparation of manuscript. JC conceived the study and participated in the coordination and preparation of manuscript. All authors read and approved the final draft.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Table 1

Primer sequences for real-time PCR.

Protein types	Primer sequence
OPA-1	Forward: 5′-TCT GAG GCC CTT CTC TTG TT-3′ Reverse: 5′-TCT GAC ACC TTC CTG TAA TGC T-3′
Drp-1	Forward: 5′-TCA CCC GGA GAC CTC TCA TT-3′ Reverse: 5′-TGCTTCAACTCCATTTTCTTCTCC-3′
Mfn-1	Forward: 5′-TTG CCA CAA GCT GTG TTC GG-3′ Reverse: 5′-TCT AGG GAC CTG AAA GAT GGG C-3′
Mfn-2	Forward: 5′-AGA GGC AGT TTG AGG AGT GC-3′ Reverse: 5′-ATG ATG AGA CGA ACG GCC TC-3′
VDAC-1	Forward : 5′-CCT CCC ACA TAC GCC GAT CT-3′ Reverse: 5′-TTA AGC CAA AGC CGT AGC CC-3′
GAPDH	Forward : 5′-ACG GAT TTG GTC GTA TTGGG-3′ Reverse: 5′-CGC TCC TGG AAG ATG GTGAT-3′