title: The complexity of the B7-CD28/CTLA-4 costimulatory pathway.
abstract: There have been significant recent advances in our understanding of the role of the B7-CD28/CTLA-4 costimulatory pathway in T-cell activation and self-tolerance. Recent studies have begun to clarify how signaling through this pathway can influence cytokine production. The critical role for CTLA-4 in regulating T-cell activation and autoreactivity has been demonstrated, revealing a previously unsuspected means by which costimulation is involved in the maintenance and breakdown of self-tolerance. In vivo studies indicate the therapeutic potential of manipulating this important, but complex, immunoregulatory pathway.
authors.affiliation: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Schweitzer
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Sharpe
mesh_terms: D000069594:Abatacept; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556706:CTLA4 protein, human; D016207:Cytokines; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D000069594:Abatacept