Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals Cause Apoptosis in HL-1 Cardiomyocytes

Samples of environmental particulate matter contain environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) capable of sustained generation of oxygen radicals. While exposure to EPFRs produces cardiac toxicity and oxidative stress in experimental animals, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. To determine whether EPFRs could directly damage cardiomyocytes, cultured mouse cardiomyocytes (HL-1) and primary rat adult left ventricular myocytes (ALVM) were incubated with an EPFR consisting of 1,2-dichlorobenzene chemisorbed to CuO-coated silica beads (DCB230). Treatment with DCB230 killed both HL-1 and ALVM in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The cytotoxic effects of DCB230 were significantly attenuated by treatment with α-tocopherol. One to 2 h after exposure to DCB230, there were significant reductions in mitochondrial membrane potential and significant increases in cleaved caspase-9, but no significant increases in DNA damage or cell death. After 8 h of treatment, there were significant increases in caspase-3, caspase-9, DNA damage and PARP cleavage associated with significant cell death. Together, these data indicate that DCB230 kills HL-1 myocytes by inducing oxidative stress that initiates apoptosis, with the intrinsic or mitochondrial pathway acting early in the apoptotic signaling process.