Vaspin Attenuates Atrial Abnormalities by Promoting ULK1/FUNDC1-Mediated Mitophagy

Figure 7

ULK1 silencing abolishes the protective effects of vaspin in Ang-II-induced atrial myocytes. Representative images and quantification of (a–b) MMP using TMRM staining, . (c–d) Mitochondrial ROS accumulation using MitoSOX staining, . (e–f) TUNEL analysis; fields/group, data from three independent experiments (panels a–f). Data are presented as the , vs. control group, vs. Ang-II group, vs. Ang-II-vaspin group. (g) Schematic diagram depicting our hypothesis: vaspin treatment increased ULK1 levels and enhanced FUNDC1 phosphorylation at Ser17, thereby promoting mitophagy and mitigating mitochondrial damage in cardiomyocytes upon Ang-II stress.

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