Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ ameliorates ROS production and improves cell viability in cryopreserved buffalo fibroblasts.

Cryopreservation commonly decreases the cellular functionality and post-thaw viability of cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during cryopreservation degrade mitochondrial activity and promote the release of cytochrome C which activates caspases required for apoptosis. Antioxidants have the potential to improve the recovery efficiency of cells by reducing ROS production and maintaining mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The present study was conducted to explore the role of MitoQ, a derivative of coenzyme Q10 on cryopreserved fibroblasts derived from buffalo skin. To achieve our goal, buffalo skin fibroblasts were treated with varying concentrations of MitoQ (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 10 μM) for 24, 48, and 72 h. The MMP, ROS generation, cell viability was measured by flow cytometry. Furthermore, expression of genes related to mitochondrial oxidative stress (NRF2, GPX, and SOD), apoptosis (BAK and caspase 3) and cell proliferation (AKT) were also assessed. The results showed that over a period of 72 h lower concentrations of MitoQ (0.1–0.5 μM) decrease the ROS production, improves MMP and cell viability whilst the high concentration of MitoQ (2–10 μM) increased the oxidative damage to the cells. Taken together, our study provide important insights into the novel role of MitoQ in cryopreserved buffalo skin fibroblasts. In conclusion, we demonstrated the dose-dependent functional role of MitoQ on cryopreserved fibroblasts for improving post-thaw cell viability and cellular function. • Cryopreservation hampers viability and cellular functions of somatic cells due to ROS productions which limit their usages. • MitoQ showed the ability to improve the cells recovery by reducing ROS production and maintaining MMP. • MitoQ has antioxidant action, but it has also been seen that with high dose of MitoQ concentration, its activity turns prooxidant. • MitoQ possesses antioxidant properties, but at high concentrations, its activity becomes prooxidant. Due to its antioxidant properties, MitoQ must be added in the optimum quantity to various tissues and cells. • In cryopreserved buffalo fibroblast cells, the effect of MitoQ and the mechanism underlying its protective role were examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]