HDAC Inhibition with Valproate Improves Direct Cytotoxicity of Monocytes against Mesothelioma Tumor Cells

peer reviewedThe composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME) mediates the outcome of chemo- and immunotherapies in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and monocyte myeloid-derived immunosuppressive cells (M-MDSCs) constitute a major fraction of the TME. As central cells of the innate immune system, monocytes exert well-characterized functions of phagocytosis, cytokine production, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of monocytes to exert a direct cytotoxicity by cell-to-cell contact with MPM cells. The experimental model is based on cocultures between human blood-derived monocytes sorted by negative selection and mesothelioma cell lines. Data show (i) that blood-derived human monocytes induce tumor cell death by direct cell-to-cell contact, (ii) that VPA is a pharmacological enhancer of this cytotoxic activity, (iii) that VPA increases monocyte migration and their aggregation with MPM cells, and (iv) that the molecular mechanisms behind VPA modulation of monocytes involve a downregulation of the membrane receptors associated with the M2 phenotype, i.e., CD163, CD206, and CD209. These conclusions, thus, broaden our understanding about the molecular mechanisms involved in immunosurveillance of the tumor microenvironment and open new prospects for further improvement of still unsatisfactory MPM therapies

Contribution of lysine deacetylases to the therapy of malignant pleural mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare cancer arising from mesothelial cells from the pleura. The first line chemotherapy of the epithelioid subtype of MPM is based on a combined regimen of cisplatin and an antifolate (pemetrexed). Recently, immunotherapy with two checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1, nivolumab and CTLA-4, ipilimumab) showed promising results for the sarcomatoid subtype. Despite this major breakthrough, the median overall survival of patients only reached 18.1 months, compared to 14 months in standard chemotherapy. With an objective response rate of 40%, only a subset of patients benefits from immunotherapy. Therefore, options for second line treatment are still mandatory. We previously proposed a therapy based on the combination of a topoisomerase inhibitor (doxorubicin) and a lysine deacetylase inhibitor (valproate, VPA) (Scherpereel et al, European Respiratory Journal 37:129-135). We identified one of the key determinants that modulates the chemoresistance (Staumont et al, Cancers 12:1484). In this study, we aimed to further investigate the mechanisms involved by analyzing the effect of VPA on the tumor microenvironment and more particularly on the interactions between monocytes and tumor cells. We showed that VPA affects the viability of doxorubicin-treated mesothelioma cells and promotes their apoptosis. The use of caspase and calpeptin inhibitors demonstrated that apoptosis occurs through a caspase-dependent mechanism involving both intrinsic and extrinsic pathway. Western blot analysis revealed that the combination of VPA and doxorubicin increases the expression of clived-Bid, Bax and cytochrome c while decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL. Transcriptomic analysis unveiled that epithelioid mesothelioma cells express more p21, Fas, Bbc3 and TP53INP1 upon treatment compared to the sarcomatoid subtype. To investigate the role of the microenvironment, we designed two models to study the influence of tumor-associated monocytes. Mesothelioma cells were co-cultured with THP-1 monocytes differentiated in presence of PMA. Flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and live imaging demonstrated that THP-1-derived monocytes are able to interact and kill tumor cells. Furthermore, VPA promotes the interaction between monocytes and tumor cells and fosters the cytotoxic activity of monocytes. In contrast to PMA, VPA does not affect the motility of THP-1 monocytes. These observations were validated and extended to primary monocytes isolated from peripheral blood. Increased cytotoxicity of primary monocytes is correlated with a reduced frequency of CD16+ cells. In this model, VPA augments the average speed of primary monocytes. Finally, RNA sequencing highlighted the key mechanisms involved in monocyte antitumor activity. In conclusion, we demonstrate that VPA directly affects the survival of tumor cells and indirectly modulates the cytotoxic activity of monocytes in the microenvironment

Gray zones around diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Conclusions based on the workshop of the XIV meeting of the European Association for Hematopathology and the Society of Hematopathology in Bordeaux, France

The term “gray-zone” lymphoma has been used to denote a group of lymphomas with overlapping histological, biological, and clinical features between various types of lymphomas. It has been used in the context of Hodgkin lymphomas (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), including classical HL (CHL), and primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma, cases with overlapping features between nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma and T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B cell lymphoma, CHL, and Epstein–Barr-virus-positive lymphoproliferative disorders, and peripheral T cell lymphomas simulating CHL. A second group of gray-zone lymphomas includes B cell NHL with intermediate features between diffuse large B cell lymphoma and classical Burkitt lymphoma. In order to review controversial issues in gray-zone lymphomas, a joint Workshop of the European Association for Hematopathology and the Society for Hematopathology was held in Bordeaux, France, in September 2008. The panel members reviewed and discussed 145 submitted cases and reached consensus diagnoses. This Workshop summary is focused on the most controversial aspects of gray-zone lymphomas and describes the panel’s proposals regarding diagnostic criteria, terminology, and new prognostic and diagnostic parameters

Feasibility trial assessing intrapleural photodynamic therapy combined with pleurectomy/decortication then chemotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients

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Strongly oxidizing perylene-3,4-dicarboximides for use in water oxidation photoelectrochemical cells

Perylene-3,4-dicarboximide (PMI) based chromophores are explored for use in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) for solar fuels generation.</p

CuAAC-based assembly and characterization of a ruthenium–copper dyad containing a diimine–dioxime ligand framework

International audienceThe design of molecular dyads combining a light-harvesting unit with an electroactive centre is highly demanded in the field of artificial photosynthesis. The versatile Copper-catalyzed Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC) procedure was employed to assemble a ruthenium tris-diimine unit to an unprecedented azide-substituted copper diimine–dioxime moiety. The resulting RuIICuII dyad 4 was characterized by electrochemistry, 1H NMR, EPR, UV-visible absorption, steady-state fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopies. Photoinduced electron transfer from the ruthenium to the copper centre upon light-activation in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor was established thanks to EPR-monitored photolysis experiments, opening interesting perspectives for photocatalytic applications

Photogenerated Quartet State Formation in a Compact Ring-Fused Perylene-Nitroxide

We report on a novel small organic molecule comprising a perylene chromophore fused to a six-membered ring containing a persistent nitroxide radical to give a perylene-nitroxide, or <b>PerNO</b>^•. This molecule is a robust, compact molecule in which the radical is closely bound to the chromophore but separated by saturated carbon atoms, thus limiting the electronic coupling between the chromophore and radical. We present both ultrafast transient absorption experiments and time-resolved EPR (TREPR) studies to probe the spin dynamics of photoexcited <b>PerNO</b>^<b>•</b> and utilize X-ray crystallography to probe the molecular structure and stacking motifs of <b>PerNO</b>^<b>•</b> in the solid state. The ability to control both the structure and electronic properties of molecules having multiple spins as well as the possibility of assembling ordered solid state materials from them is important for implementing effective molecule-based spintronics