Anthracyclines' cardiotoxicity involves an accelerated generation of reactive oxygen species. This oxidative damage has been found to accelerate the expression of hexose-6P-dehydrogenase (H6PD), that channels glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) through the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) confined within the endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). To verify the role of SR-PPP in the defense mechanisms activated by doxorubicin (DXR) in cardiomyocytes, we tested the effect of this drug in H6PD knockout mice (H6PD-/-). Twenty-eight wildtype (WT) and 32 H6PD-/- mice were divided into four groups to be treated with intraperitoneal administration of saline (untreated) or DXR (8 mg/Kg once a week for 3 weeks). One week thereafter, survivors underwent imaging of 18F-deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake and were sacrificed to evaluate the levels of H6PD, glucose-6P-dehydrogenase (G6PD), G6P transporter (G6PT), and malondialdehyde. The mRNA levels of SR Ca2+-ATPase 2 (Serca2) and ryanodine receptors 2 (RyR2) were evaluated and complemented with Hematoxylin/Eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy. During the treatment period, 1/14 DXR-WT and 12/18 DXR-H6PD-/- died. At microPET, DXR-H6PD-/- survivors displayed an increase in left ventricular size (p < 0.001) coupled with a decreased urinary output, suggesting a severe hemodynamic impairment. At ex vivo analysis, H6PD-/- condition was associated with an oxidative damage independent of treatment type. DXR increased H6PD expression only in WT mice, while G6PT abundance increased in both groups, mismatching a generalized decrease of G6PD levels. Switching-off SR-PPP impaired reticular accumulation of Ca2+ decelerating Serca2 expression and upregulating RyR2 mRNA level. It thus altered mitochondrial ultrastructure eventually resulting in a cardiomyocyte loss. The recognized vulnerability of SR to the anthracycline oxidative damage is counterbalanced by an acceleration of G6P flux through a PPP confined within the reticular lumen. The interplay of SR-PPP with the intracellular Ca2+ exchanges regulators in cardiomyocytes configure the reticular PPP as a potential new target for strategies aimed to decrease anthracycline toxicity.
Keywords: Anthracycline toxicity; Cancer; Myocardial metabolism; PET imaging; Pentose-phosphate pathway.
© 2023. The Author(s).