Defining the Role of BTLA in Breast Cancer Immunosurveillance and Selective Targeting of the BTLA-HVEM-LIGHT Costimulatory System
Abstract
In the last decade, considerable progress has been made in understanding the complex regulatory networks that control immune responses. Regulating the extent, quality and duration of immune responses is critical for balancing protective immunity and tissue injury. Costimulatory (CD28, ICOS) and inhibitory (CTLA4, PD-1) molecules of the CD28 receptor family provide critical secondary signals regulating this balance, and recent work has uncovered critical roles for CTLA4 and PD-1 in restraining immune responses in chronic viral infection and malignancy. We recently cloned B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), the third inhibitory receptor of the CD28 family expressed on lymphocytes. Using BTLA-deficient mice and monoclonal antibodies specific for BTLA that we generated, we have studied several in vivo models of infection and autoimmunity, showing the importance of BTLA in regulating immune responses. Several lines of evidence suggest that inhibitory molecules such as CTLA-4 and PD-1 limit cancer immunosurveillance. The hypothesis of this application is that BTLA contributes to the inhibition of breast cancer immunosurveillance, and selective targeting of the BTLA-LIGHT-HVEM costimulatory system can enhance breast cancer immunity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA552098
Entities
People
- Kenneth M. Murphy
- William E. Gillanders
Organizations
- Washington University in St. Louis