title: CD28 superagonists: mode of action and therapeutic potential.
abstract: Some CD28-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have the surprising property to activate T-cells without the need for TCR ligation. This review summarizes the differences between these "superagonistic" and conventional CD28-specific mAbs with regard to binding specificity and signalling properties. Furthermore, the dramatic effects of in vivo application of CD28 superagonists with regard to the induction of regulatory T-cells and polyclonal T-cell expansion in lymphopenic settings are discussed under the aspect of potential therapeutic applications.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Virology and Immunology, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Strasse 7, 97078 Würzburg, Germany. huenig@vim.uni-wuerzburg.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hünig
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dennehy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018106:CD28 Antigens