Inhibitory receptor acting as a major negative regulator of T-cell responses. The affinity of CTLA4 for its natural B7 family ligands, CD80 and CD86, is considerably stronger than the affinity of their cognate stimulatory coreceptor CD28.
Functional interactions between T and B lymphocytes are necessary for optimal activation of an immune response. Recently, the T lymphocyte receptor CD28 was shown to bind the B7 counter-receptor on activated B lymphocytes, and subsequently to costimulate interleukin 2 production and T cell proliferation. CTLA-4 is a predicted membrane receptor from cytotoxic T cells that is homologous to CD28 and whose gene maps to the same chromosomal band as the gene for CD28. It is not known, however, if CD28 and CTLA-4 also share functional properties. To investigate functional properties of CTLA-4, we have produced a soluble genetic fusion between the extracellular domain of CTLA-4 and an immunoglobulin C gamma chain. Here, we show that the fusion protein encoded by this construct, CTLA4Ig, bound specifically to B7-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells and to lymphoblastoid cells. CTLA4Ig also immunoprecipitated B7 from cell surface 125I-labeled extracts of these cells. The avidity of 125I-labeled B7Ig fusion protein for immobilized CTLA4Ig was estimated (Kd approximately 12 nM). Finally, we show that CTLA4Ig was a potent inhibitor of in vitro immune responses dependent upon cellular interactions between T and B lymphocytes. These findings provide direct evidence that, like its structural homologue CD28, CTLA-4 is able to bind the B7 counter-receptor on activated B cells. Lymphocyte interactions involving the B7 counter-receptor are functionally important for alloantigen responses in vitro.
Within the paradigm of the two-signal model of lymphocyte activation, the interest in costimulation has witnessed a remarkable emergence in the past few years with the discovery of a large array of molecules that can serve this role, including some with an inhibitory function. Interest has been further enhanced by the realization of these molecules' potential as targets to modulate clinical immune responses. Although the therapeutic translation of mechanistic knowledge in costimulatory molecules has been relatively straightforward, the capacity to target their inhibitory counterparts has remained limited. This limited capacity is particularly apparent in the case of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), a major negative regulator of T cell responses. Because there have been several previous comprehensive reviews on the function of this molecule, we focus here on the physiological implications of its structural features. Such an exercise may ultimately help us to design immunotherapeutic agents that target CTLA-4.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with any protein or protein complex (a complex of two or more proteins that may include other nonprotein molecules).
Evidence
1:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
Characterization of the extracellular protein interactome has lagged far behind that of intracellular proteins, where mass spectrometry and yeast two-hybrid technologies have excelled. Improved methods for identifying receptor-ligand and extracellular matrix protein interactions will greatly accelerate biological discovery in cell signaling and cellular communication. These technologies must be able to identify low-affinity binding events that are often observed between membrane-bound coreceptor molecules during cell-cell or cell-extracellular matrix contact. Here we demonstrate that functional protein microarrays are particularly well-suited for high-throughput screening of extracellular protein interactions. To evaluate the performance of the platform, we screened a set of 89 immunoglobulin (Ig)-type receptors against a highly diverse extracellular protein microarray with 686 genes represented. To enhance detection of low-affinity interactions, we developed a rapid method to assemble bait Fc fusion proteins into multivalent complexes using protein A microbeads. Based on these screens, we developed a statistical methodology for hit calling and identification of nonspecific interactions on protein microarrays. We found that the Ig receptor interactions identified using our methodology are highly specific and display minimal off-target binding, resulting in a 70% true-positive to false-positive hit ratio. We anticipate that these methods will be useful for a wide variety of functional protein microarray users.
Evidence
2:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
Optimal immune responses require both an antigen-specific and a co-stimulatory signal. The shared ligands B7-1 and B7-2 on antigen-presenting cells deliver the co-stimulatory signal through CD28 and CTLA-4 on T cells. Signalling through CD28 augments the T-cell response, whereas CTLA-4 signalling attenuates it. Numerous animal studies and recent clinical trials indicate that manipulating these interactions holds considerable promise for immunotherapy. With the consequences of these signals well established, and details of the downstream signalling events emerging, understanding the molecular nature of these extracellular interactions becomes crucial. Here we report the crystal structure of the human CTLA-4/B7-1 co-stimulatory complex at 3.0 A resolution. In contrast to other interacting cell-surface molecules, the relatively small CTLA-4/B7-1 binding interface exhibits an unusually high degree of shape complementarity. CTLA-4 forms homodimers through a newly defined interface of highly conserved residues. In the crystal lattice, CTLA-4 and B7-1 pack in a strikingly periodic arrangement in which bivalent CTLA-4 homodimers bridge bivalent B7-1 homodimers. This zipper-like oligomerization provides the structural basis for forming unusually stable signalling complexes at the T-cell surface, underscoring the importance of potent inhibitory signalling in human immune responses.
Erratum in:
Nature 411(6837), 617 (2001 May 31)
Evidence
3:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
Regulation of T-cell activity is dependent on antigen-independent co-stimulatory signals provided by the disulphide-linked homodimeric T-cell surface receptors, CD28 and CTLA-4 (ref. 1). Engagement of CD28 with B7-1 and B7-2 ligands on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) provides a stimulatory signal for T-cell activation, whereas subsequent engagement of CTLA-4 with these same ligands results in attenuation of the response. Given their central function in immune modulation, CTLA-4- and CD28-associated signalling pathways are primary therapeutic targets for preventing autoimmune disease, graft versus host disease, graft rejection and promoting tumour immunity. However, little is known about the cell-surface organization of these receptor/ligand complexes and the structural basis for signal transduction. Here we report the 3.2-A resolution structure of the complex between the disulphide-linked homodimer of human CTLA-4 and the receptor-binding domain of human B7-2. The unusual dimerization properties of both CTLA-4 and B7-2 place their respective ligand-binding sites distal to the dimer interface in each molecule and promote the formation of an alternating arrangement of bivalent CTLA-4 and B7-2 dimers that extends throughout the crystal. Direct observation of this CTLA-4/B7-2 network provides a model for the periodic organization of these molecules within the immunological synapse and suggests a distinct mechanism for signalling by dimeric cell-surface receptors.
PURPOSE: In B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), high CD38 expression has been associated with unfavorable clinical course, advanced disease, resistance to therapy, shorter time to first treatment, and shorter survival. However, the genes associated with CLL patient subgroups with high and low CD38 expression and their potential role in disease progression is not known. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: To identify the genes associated with the clinical disparity in CLL patients with high versus low CD38 expression, transcriptional profiles were obtained from CLL cells from 39 different patients using oligonucleotide microarray. Gene expression was also compared between CLL cells and B cells from healthy individuals. RESULTS: Gene expression analysis identified 76 differentially expressed genes in CD38 high versus low groups. Out of these genes, HEM1, CTLA4, and MNDA were selected for further studies and their differential expression was confirmed by real-time PCR. HEM1 overexpression was associated with poor outcome, whereas the overexpression of CTLA4 and MNDA was associated with good outcome. Down-regulation of HEM1 expression in patient CLL cells resulted in a significant increase in their susceptibility to fludarabine-mediated killing. In addition, when gene expression patterns in CD38 high and low CLL cells were compared with normal B-cell profiles, ATM expression was found to be significantly lower in CD38 high compared with CD38 low CLL as confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: These results identify the possible genes that may be involved in cell proliferation and survival and, thus, determining the clinical behavior of CLL patients expressing high or low CD38.
PURPOSE: In B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), high CD38 expression has been associated with unfavorable clinical course, advanced disease, resistance to therapy, shorter time to first treatment, and shorter survival. However, the genes associated with CLL patient subgroups with high and low CD38 expression and their potential role in disease progression is not known. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: To identify the genes associated with the clinical disparity in CLL patients with high versus low CD38 expression, transcriptional profiles were obtained from CLL cells from 39 different patients using oligonucleotide microarray. Gene expression was also compared between CLL cells and B cells from healthy individuals. RESULTS: Gene expression analysis identified 76 differentially expressed genes in CD38 high versus low groups. Out of these genes, HEM1, CTLA4, and MNDA were selected for further studies and their differential expression was confirmed by real-time PCR. HEM1 overexpression was associated with poor outcome, whereas the overexpression of CTLA4 and MNDA was associated with good outcome. Down-regulation of HEM1 expression in patient CLL cells resulted in a significant increase in their susceptibility to fludarabine-mediated killing. In addition, when gene expression patterns in CD38 high and low CLL cells were compared with normal B-cell profiles, ATM expression was found to be significantly lower in CD38 high compared with CD38 low CLL as confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: These results identify the possible genes that may be involved in cell proliferation and survival and, thus, determining the clinical behavior of CLL patients expressing high or low CD38.
J. Immunol. 181, 1683-1691 (2008)[PubMed:18641304]
The role of CTLA-4 in regulatory T cell (Treg) function is not well understood. We have examined the role of CTLA-4 and its relationship with the transcription factor FoxP3 using a model of Treg induction in human peripheral blood. Activation of human CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells resulted in the appearance of a de novo population of FoxP3-expressing cells within 48 h. These cells expressed high levels of CTLA-4 and cell sorting on expression of CTLA-4 strongly enriched for FoxP3(+)-expressing cells with suppressive function. Culture in IL-2 alone also generated cells with suppressive capacity that also correlated with the appearance of CTLA-4. To directly test the role of CTLA-4, we transfected resting human T cells with CTLA-4 and found that this method conferred suppression, similar to that of natural Tregs, even though these cells did not express FoxP3. Furthermore, transfection of FoxP3 did not induce CTLA-4 and these cells were not suppressive. By separating the expression of CTLA-4 and FoxP3, our data show that FoxP3 expression alone is insufficient to up-regulate CTLA-4; however, activation of CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells can induce both FoxP3 and CTLA-4 in a subpopulation of T cells that are capable of suppression. These data suggest that the acquisition of suppressive behavior by activated CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells requires the expression of CTLA-4, a feature that appears to be facilitated by, but is not dependent on, expression of FoxP3.
PURPOSE: In B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), high CD38 expression has been associated with unfavorable clinical course, advanced disease, resistance to therapy, shorter time to first treatment, and shorter survival. However, the genes associated with CLL patient subgroups with high and low CD38 expression and their potential role in disease progression is not known. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: To identify the genes associated with the clinical disparity in CLL patients with high versus low CD38 expression, transcriptional profiles were obtained from CLL cells from 39 different patients using oligonucleotide microarray. Gene expression was also compared between CLL cells and B cells from healthy individuals. RESULTS: Gene expression analysis identified 76 differentially expressed genes in CD38 high versus low groups. Out of these genes, HEM1, CTLA4, and MNDA were selected for further studies and their differential expression was confirmed by real-time PCR. HEM1 overexpression was associated with poor outcome, whereas the overexpression of CTLA4 and MNDA was associated with good outcome. Down-regulation of HEM1 expression in patient CLL cells resulted in a significant increase in their susceptibility to fludarabine-mediated killing. In addition, when gene expression patterns in CD38 high and low CLL cells were compared with normal B-cell profiles, ATM expression was found to be significantly lower in CD38 high compared with CD38 low CLL as confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: These results identify the possible genes that may be involved in cell proliferation and survival and, thus, determining the clinical behavior of CLL patients expressing high or low CD38.
Any process that results in a change in state or activity of a cell (in terms of movement, secretion, enzyme production, gene expression, etc.) as a result of a stimulus indicating damage to its DNA from environmental insults or errors during metabolism.
Evidence
1:
Inferred from Mutant PhenotypeUniProtKB
PURPOSE: In B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), high CD38 expression has been associated with unfavorable clinical course, advanced disease, resistance to therapy, shorter time to first treatment, and shorter survival. However, the genes associated with CLL patient subgroups with high and low CD38 expression and their potential role in disease progression is not known. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: To identify the genes associated with the clinical disparity in CLL patients with high versus low CD38 expression, transcriptional profiles were obtained from CLL cells from 39 different patients using oligonucleotide microarray. Gene expression was also compared between CLL cells and B cells from healthy individuals. RESULTS: Gene expression analysis identified 76 differentially expressed genes in CD38 high versus low groups. Out of these genes, HEM1, CTLA4, and MNDA were selected for further studies and their differential expression was confirmed by real-time PCR. HEM1 overexpression was associated with poor outcome, whereas the overexpression of CTLA4 and MNDA was associated with good outcome. Down-regulation of HEM1 expression in patient CLL cells resulted in a significant increase in their susceptibility to fludarabine-mediated killing. In addition, when gene expression patterns in CD38 high and low CLL cells were compared with normal B-cell profiles, ATM expression was found to be significantly lower in CD38 high compared with CD38 low CLL as confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: These results identify the possible genes that may be involved in cell proliferation and survival and, thus, determining the clinical behavior of CLL patients expressing high or low CD38.
Protein involved in adaptive immunity. Vertebrates can develop a broad and almost infinite repertoire of antigen-specific receptors, which allows vertebrates to recognize almost any potential pathogen or toxin and to mount antigen-specific responses to it. Two types of adaptive immunity systems have evolved in vertebrates in order to generate immune receptor diversity. The jawed vertebrates strategy uses the V(D)JC recombination to achieve combinatorial diversity of immunoglobulin-based B cell receptors and T cell receptors. The jawless vertebrate strategy uses the somatic rearrangements of variable leucine-rich cassettes in the variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs). The hallmarks of an adaptive immune system is the production of antigen-specific recognition receptor by somatic gene rearrangement. The long life of some antigen-primed cytotoxic lymphocytes and plasma cells provide protective memory to prevent reinvasion.
Protein involved in immunity, any immune system process that functions in the response of an organism to a potential internal or invasive threat. The vertebrate immune system is formed by the innate immune system (composed of phagocytes, complement, antimicrobial peptides, etc) and by the adaptive immune system which consists of T- and B- lymphocytes.
A reference proteome is a set of protein sequences derived from a complete proteome which constitutes a defined standard for a particular user community. Reference proteomes are manually defined according to a number of criteria. They cover the proteomes of well- studied model organisms and other proteomes of interest for biomedical and biotechnological research. Reference proteomes have been selected to provide broad coverage of the tree of life, and constitute a representative cross-section of the taxonomic diversity to be found within UniProtKB.