Associations of B7-H3 and B7-H4 Expression in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast With Clinicopathologic Features and T-Cell Infiltration

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2020 Nov/Dec;28(10):767-775. doi: 10.1097/PAI.0000000000000817.

Abstract

B7-H3 and B7-H4 play an inhibitory role in T-cell function by limiting proliferation and cytokine production. Information about B7-H3 and B7-H4 expression in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains uncertain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of B7-H3 and B7-H4 in DCIS and their associations with clinicopathologic features and T-cell infiltration. B7-H3 and B7-H4 mRNA and protein expression levels in 8 pairs of DCIS tissues and matched normal adjacent tissues were examined by RNAscope in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry analysis. Immunohistochemical staining of B7-H3, B7-H4, CD3, and CD8 was performed for 79 DCIS samples using tissue microarray. RNAscope in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that expression levels of B7-H3 and B7-H4 in DCIS tissues were higher than those in corresponding normal tissues. B7-H3 and B7-H4 mRNA and protein appeared to be mainly expressed in DCIS carcinoma cells. High B7-H3 and B7-H4 expression was observed in 58 (73.4%) and 62 (78.5%) cases with DCIS, respectively. High B7-H3 expression was significantly associated with high-nuclear grade and presence of comedo-type necrosis (both P<0.05). B7-H3 expression in HR/HER2 subtype was higher than that in HR/HER2 subtype (P<0.05). B7-H3 and B7-H4 expression levels were negatively related to the density of CD3 and CD8 T-cell infiltrates. B7-H3 and B7-H4 may play an important role in immune surveillance mechanisms of DCIS. They might be useful targets to develop immune-based therapy to alter or prevent DCIS progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • B7 Antigens / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunologic Surveillance
  • Immunotherapy
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / immunology*
  • Mammary Glands, Human / metabolism*
  • Mammary Glands, Human / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • V-Set Domain-Containing T-Cell Activation Inhibitor 1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • B7 Antigens
  • CD276 protein, human
  • V-Set Domain-Containing T-Cell Activation Inhibitor 1
  • VTCN1 protein, human