Abstract:
Objective To investigate the B7-H4 expression in human breast carcinoma and analyze its relationship with the number of tumor-infiltrating CD4+T and CD8+T lymphocytes as well as cytokine secretion.
Methods B7-H4 expression was detected through immunohistochemistry in 72 cases of breast cancer, 16 cases of benign breast lesions, and 16 cases of normal breast tissues. The number of tumor-infiltrating CD4+T and CD8+T lymphocytes as well as TGF-β1 and IFN-Υ secretion was determined by indirect immunofluorescence double-staining.
Results B7-H4 was expressed in 75% of breast cancer cases, with the positive rate significantly higher than that of benign lesions and normal breast tissues (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). In B7-H4 positive breast carcinomas, the number of infiltrating CD8+T lymphocytes and IFN-Υ, secreting cells was significantly lower than that of B7-H4 negative breast carcinomas (P < 0.05). However, no difference was observed in the number of infiltrating CD4+T lymphocytes and TGF-31 producing cells between these two groups.
Conclusion B7-H4 is over expressed in breast cancer and is associated with decreasing CD8+T lymphocyte infiltration and IFN-7 secretion. BT-H4 plays a significant role in depressing anti-tumor T cell immunity of breast cancer.