Impact of Factors Secreted by Tumor Cells on Response of Pleural Mesothelial Cells to Different Sclerosing Agents in an In Vitro Model

BACKGROUND: Chemical pleurodesis is one of the major therapeutic options for patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusion. Mesothelial cells are considered to play a pivotal role in the response to different chemical compounds (sclerosants) used for pleurodesis. Malignant cells might have an impact on the mesothelial response to applied sclerosing agents and, in consequence, on the efficacy of pleurodesis. We aimed to evaluate the impact of cancer cell paracrine on mesothelial cell response to different sclerosing agents. MATERIAL/METHODS: The study used mesothelial cell (MeT-5A) cultures stimulated with sclerosing agents (talc, doxycycline, iodopovidone, and TGF-β for 24 h) in the presence or absence of supernatants from adenocarcinoma cultures (HCC827). The mesothelial mRNA expression and protein levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TGF-β was assessed. Further, lung fibroblasts were cultured with and without cell supernatants from previously established cell cultures for 24 h. Then, concentration of soluble collagen was evaluated in culture supernatants. RESULTS: The exposure of mesothelial cells to sclerosants decreased the concentration of IL-6 and IL-8 protein. The addition of mediators secreted by adenocarcinoma altered the inflammatory response of the mesothelial cells to sclerosing agents. IL-8 concentration in cultures stimulated with talc and adenocarcinoma supernatant was higher compared to cultures stimulated with talc only. The exposure of lung fibroblasts to supernatant from mesothelial cell (with or without adenocarcinoma) did not affect collagen secretion. CONCLUSIONS: An addition of soluble factors produced by adenocarcinoma altered the inflammatory response of the pleural mesothelial cells after stimulation with sclerosing agents. Our observations suggest that the tumor paracrine effect affects biological pathways of pleurodesis.