Ruyong formula improves thymus function of CUMS-stimulated breast cancer mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ruyong Formula (RYF) is a famous Chinese herbal formula composed of 10 traditional Chinese herbs. It has been used as a therapeutic agent for breast cancer patients with depressive symptoms in China. However, its underlying pharmacological mechanism remains unclear.

Aim of the study: This study aimed to explore the mechanism of RYF on the changes of thymus immune function in breast cancer body under mood disorders such as depression/anxiety.

Materials and methods: The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was used to stimulate 4T1 breast cancer mice. The behavioral changes, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level in brain, cytokeratin 5 (CK5) and 8 (CK8) expression in thymus, the proportion of T cell subsets, the thymic output, phenotypic changes of thymus epithelial cells (TECs), the expression levels of immune-related factors and downstream proteins of TSLP were analyzed after RYF treatment.

Results: In CUMS stimulated group, the level of 5-HT in brain was significantly increased after RYF treatment. The output function of the thymus was improved, and the number of TECs in the medulla (CK5⁺), the proportion of CD3⁺CD4^-CD8^- (Double negative) and CD3⁺CD4⁺CD8⁺ (Double positive) T cells were all increased. The mRNA level of TSLP in mouse thymus was significantly decreased, but increased for IL-7. The protein levels of TSLP and Vimentin were decreased, but increased for p-STAT3, p-JAK2, E-cadherin, and p-PI3K p55 in vivo. In vitro study was showed the levels of Snail 1, Zeb 1 and Smad increased significantly in TGF-β1 group, and RYF could reverse their expression.

Conclusions: RYF could restore the structure and function of the thymus in depressed breast cancer mice by reversing the phenotypic changes of TECs and activating the JAK2/STAT3/PI3K pathway.