Fluorescence-based quantification of mitochondrial damage in human airway smooth muscle cells
Abstract
We introduce an imaging-based approach to quantitatively distinguish intact from damaged mitochondria within heterogeneous mitochondrial networks using fluorescent labels that exhibit different sensitivities to mitochondrial membrane potential. By combining membrane potential-independent CellLight GFP label with membrane potential-dependent MitoTracker Red, this method sensitively quantifies basal and stress-induced mitochondrial damage in hASM cells. This assay provides a practical and interpretable metric of mitochondrial integrity that complements existing methods that measure mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative stress.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection
Publication details
- Journal / source
- American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology
- Publisher
- American Physiological Society
- Volume
- 330
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- C1336–C1353
- Publication date
- 9 April 2026
- Language
- EN