Doxorubicin-induced expression of LOX-1 in H9c2 cardiac muscle cells and its role in apoptosis

Up-regulation of LOX-1 is implicated in apoptosis in both vascular smooth muscle cells and in endothelial cells. We examined the effects of doxorubicin on LOX-1 expression in H9c2 cardiomyocytes and the role played by LOX-1 up-regulation in doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was assessed by DCF flow cytometry. LOX-1 mRNA and protein expression was assessed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry with annexin/PI double staining. Doxorubicin-induced LOX-1 expression in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. The doxorubicin-induced ROS formation and the LOX-1 expression were significantly attenuated by pre-treatment with antioxidants. By exposing cells that had been pre-treated with doxorubicin to oxidized-LDL, a LOX-1 agonist, in the presence or in the absence of k-carrageenan, a LOX-1 receptor antagonist, we documented that doxorubicin-induced LOX-1 expression plays a role in inducing apoptosis. These findings suggest that LOX-1 up-regulation is redox-sensitive and may contribute to doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.