IPR1-mediated MAMs Formation Contributes to Mechanical Trauma-induced Hepatic Injury and the Protective Effect of Melatonin

Introduction: There is a high morbidity and mortality rate in mechanical trauma (MT)-induced hepatic injury. Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying liver MT are largely unclear. Exploring the underlying mechanisms and developing safe and effective medicines to alleviate MT-induced hepatic injury is an urgent requirement. The aim of this study was to reveal the role of mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs) in post-traumatic liver injury, and ascertain whether melatonin protects against MT-induced hepatic injury by regulating MAMs.

Methods: Hepatic mechanical injury was established in Sprague-Dawley rats and primary hepatocytes. A variety of experimental methods were employed to assess the effects of melatonin on hepatic injury, apoptosis, MAMs formation, mitochondrial function and signaling pathways.

Results: Significant increase of IPR1 expression and MAMs formation were observed in MT-induced hepatic injury. Melatonin treatment at the dose of 30 mg/kg inhibited IPR1-mediated MAMs and attenuated MT-induced liver injury in vivo. In vitro, primary hepatocytes cultured in 20% trauma serum (TS) for 12 h showed upregulated IPR1 expression, increased MAMs formation and cell injury, which were suppressed by melatonin (100 μmol/L) treatment. Consequently, melatonin suppressed mitochondrial calcium overload, increased mitochondrial membrane potential and improved mitochondrial function under traumatic condition. Melatonin's inhibitory effects on MAMs formation and mitochondrial calcium overload were blunted when IPR1 was overexpressed. Mechanistically, melatonin bound to its receptor (MR) and increased the expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2, which interacted with FoxO1 and inhibited the activation of FoxO1 that bound to the IPR1 promoter to inhibit MAMs formation.

Conclusion: Melatonin prevents the formation of MAMs via the MR-ERK1/2-FoxO1-IPR1 pathway, thereby alleviating the development of MT-induced liver injury. Melatonin-modulated MAMs may be a promising therapeutic therapy for traumatic hepatic injury.