Doxorubicin Inhibits Cardiomyocyte Autophagic Flux by Suppressing Lysosomal Acidification

Date

2015-04-09

Authors

Li, Dan

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Content Notes

Abstract

The clinical use of doxorubicin is limited by cardiotoxicity. Dysregulation of autophagy in the myocardium has been implicated in a variety of cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of autophagy in doxorubicin cardiomyopathy remains poorly defined. Most models of acute doxorubicin cardiotoxicity involve intraperitoneal injection of high-dose drug, which elicits lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, and peritoneal fibrosis, all of which confound the interpretation of autophagy. Given this, I first established a model that provokes modest and progressive cardiotoxicity without constitutional symptoms, and is reminiscent of the effects seen in patients of chronic doxorubicin cardiomyopathy. Next, via multiple assays I showed that doxorubicin blocks cardiomyocyte autophagic flux in vivo and in cardiomyocytes in culture. This block was accompanied by robust accumulation of undegraded autolysosomes. Moreover, I went on to localize the site of block as a defect in lysosome acidification. To test the functional relevance of doxorubicin-triggered autolysosome accumulation, I studied animals with diminished autophagic activity due to haploinsufficiency for Beclin 1. Beclin 1+/- mice exposed to doxorubicin manifested restored cardiac autophagic flux, and were protected in terms of structural and functional changes within the myocardium. Conversely, animals over-expressing Beclin 1 manifested an amplified cardiotoxic response, correlating with their aggravated accumulation of autolysosomes in cardiomyocytes after doxorubicin treatments. In summary, I report here that doxorubicin blocks autophagic flux in cardiomyocytes by impairing lysosome acidification and lysosomal function. Further, reducing autophagy initiation may protect against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.

General Notes

Table of Contents

Citation

Related URI