Effects of cobalt and chromium ions on glycolytic flux and the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in macrophages in vitro

Abstract

Implant wear and corrosion have been associated with adverse tissue reactions that can lead to implant failure. Wear and corrosion products are therefore of great clinical concern. For example, Co2+ and Cr3+ originating from CoCrMo-based implants have been shown to induce a proinflammatory response in macrophages in vitro. Previous studies have also shown that the polarization of macrophages by some proinflammatory stimuli is associated with a hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)-dependent metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) towards glycolysis. However, the potential of Co2+ and Cr3+ to induce this metabolic shift, which plays a determining role in the proinflammatory response of macrophages, remains largely unexplored. We recently demonstrated that Co2+, but not Cr3+, increased oxidative stress and decreased OXPHOS in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of Co2+ and Cr3+ on glycolytic flux and HIF-1α stabilization in the same experimental model. Cells were exposed to 6 to 24 ppm Co2+ or 50 to 250 ppm Cr3+. Glycolytic flux was determined by analyzing extracellular flux and lactate production, while HIF-1α stabilization was analyzed by immunoblotting. Results showed that Co2+, and to a lesser extent Cr3+, increased glycolytic flux; however, only Co2+ acted through HIF-1α stabilization. Overall, these results, together with our previous results showing that Co2+ increases oxidative stress and decreases OXPHOS, suggest that Co2+ (but not Cr3+) can induce a HIF-1α-dependent metabolic shift from OXPHOS towards glycolysis in macrophages. This metabolic shift may play an early and pivotal role in the inflammatory response induced by Co2+ in the periprosthetic environment.