Loss of MIC60 Aggravates Neuronal Death by Inducing Mitochondrial Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Mitochondrial damage has been reported to be a critical factor for secondary brain injury (SBI) induced by intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). MIC60 is a key element of the mitochondrial contact site and cristae junction organizing system (MICOS), which takes a principal part in maintaining mitochondrial structure and function. The role of MIC60 and its underlying mechanisms in ICH-induced SBI are not clear, which will be investigated in this present study. To establish and emulate ICH model in vivo and in vitro, autologous blood was injected into the right basal ganglia of Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats; and primary-cultured cortical neurons were treated by oxygen hemoglobin (OxyHb). First, after ICH induction, mitochondria were damaged and exhibited mitochondrial crista-structure remodeling, and MIC60 protein levels were reduced. Furthermore, MIC60 overexpression reduced ICH-induced neuronal death both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, MIC60 upregulation reduced ICH-induced cerebral edema, neurobehavioral impairment, and cognitive dysfunction; by contrast, MIC60 knockdown had the opposite effect. Additionally, in primary-cultured neurons, MIC60 overexpression could reverse ICH-induced neuronal cell death and apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, and decrease of mitophagy, indicating that MIC60 overexpression can maintain the integrity of mitochondrial structures. Moreover, loss of MIC60 is after ICH-induced reduction in PINK1 levels and mislocalization of Parkin in primary-cultured neurons. Taken together, our findings suggest that MIC60 plays an important role in ICH-induced SBI and may represent a promising target for ICH therapy.