Immunomodulatory role of histamine H4 receptor in breast cancer

STERLE, HELENA A.; NICOUD, MELISA B.; MASSARI, NOELIA A.; TÁQUEZ DELGADO, MÓNICA A.; HERRERO DUCLOUX, MARÍA V.; CREMASCHI, GRACIELA A.; MEDINA, VANINA A.

BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER

NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

Año: 2019 vol. 120 p. 128 - 138

0007-0920

BACKGROUND: Although the role of histamine H4 receptor (H4R) in immune cells is being extensively investigated, its immunomodulatory function in cancer is completely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of H4R in antitumor immunity in a model of triple negative breast cancer. METHODS: We evaluated growth parameters, histological characteristics and the composition of tumour, splenic and tumour draining lymph node (TDLN) immune subsets in a syngeneic model developed orthotopically with 4T1 cells in H4R knockout (H4R-KO) and wild-type mice.RESULTS: Mice lacking H4R show reduced tumour size and weight, decreased number of lung metastases and percentage of CD4+ tumour-infiltrating T cells while exhibit increased infiltration of NK cells and CD19+ lymphocytes. Likewise, TDLN of H4R-KO mice show decreased CD4+ T cells and T regulatory cells (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) and increased percentages of NK cells. Finally, H4R deficient mice show decreased Tregs in spleens and non-draining lymph nodes, and a negative correlation between tumour weight and the percentages of CD4+, CD19+ and NK splenic cells, suggesting that H4R also regulates antitumor immunity at a systemic level.CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report that demonstrate the participation of H4R in antitumor immunity, suggesting that H4R could be a target for cancer treatment.