Costimulation of T cells.
Costimulation is critical to T cell activation. On the antigen-presenting cell the key players are found in the extended family of B7 genes comprising cd80, cd86, B7h/B7RP-1 and B7-H1. cd80 and cd86 encode proteins that bind to CD28 and CTLA4 on T cells. Blocking this pathway with the potent CTLA4-Ig fusion protein shows encouraging potential as a therapeutic agent. While cd80 and cd86 pathways act mainly on naive T cells, B7h/B7RP-1 and B7-H1 seem to exert their effects on antigen-experienced lymphocytes.
Bugeon
L
L
Department of Biology, Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
Dallman
M J
MJ
D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*