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

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.