Bcl-2 19-kDa Interacting Protein 3 (BNIP3)-Mediated Mitophagy Attenuates Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Human Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell Injury

BACKGROUND: As a novel pathophysiological characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea, intermittent hypoxia (IH) contributes to human renal tubular epithelial cells impairment. The underlying pathological mechanisms remain unrevealed. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of Bcl-2 19-kDa interacting protein 3 (BNIP3)-mediated mitophagy on IH-induced renal tubular epithelial cell impairment. MATERIAL/METHODS: Human kidney proximal tubular (HK-2) cells were exposed to IH condition. IH cycles were as follows: 21% oxygen for 25 min, 21% descended to 1% for 35 min, 1% oxygen sustaining for 35 min, and 1% ascended to 21% for 25 min. The IH exposure lasted 24 h with 12 cycles of hypoxia and re-oxygenation. Both the siBNIP3 and BNIP3 vector were transfected to cells. Cell viability and apoptosis, mitochondrial morphology and function, and mitophagy were detected by cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry and TUNEL staining, transmission electron microscopy, western blotting, and immunofluorescence, respectively. RESULTS: In the IH-induced HK-2 cells, inhibition of BNIP3 further aggravated mitochondrial structure damage, and decreased mitophagy level, leading to increased cell apoptosis and decreased cell viability. While overexpression of BNIP3 enhanced mitophagy, which protected mitochondrial structure, it can decrease cell death in HK-2 cells exposed to IH. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that BNIP3-mediated mitophagy plays a protective role against IH-induced renal tubular epithelial cell impairment.