BTLA, a new inhibitory B7 family receptor with a TNFR family ligand

B and T lymphocyte attenuator （BTLA）, identified as an immune inhibitory receptor recently, plays widespread roles on T and B cells. Emerging evidence has generated plentiful information on the mechanisms which BTLA mediates negative regulation in immune responses and involves in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. The exploration of the biological mechanisms and regulation of BTLA will open possibilities on novel therapeutic strategies in immune-related diseases. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology. 2005;2（6）：427-432.     

BTLA is a lymphocyte inhibitory receptor with similarities to CTLA-4 and PD-1

During activation, T cells express receptors for receiving positive and negative costimulatory signals. Here we identify the B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), an immunoglobulin domain-containing glycoprotein with two immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs. BTLA is not expressed by naive T cells, but it is induced during activation and remains expressed on T helper type 1 (T(H)1) but not T(H)2 cells. Crosslinking BTLA with antigen receptors induces its tyrosine phosphorylation and association with the Src homology domain 2 (SH2)-containing protein tyrosine phosphatases SHP-1 and SHP-2, and attenuates production of interleukin 2 (IL-2). BTLA-deficient T cells show increased proliferation, and BTLA-deficient mice have increased specific antibody responses and enhanced sensitivity to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. B7x, a peripheral homolog of B7, is a ligand of BTLA. Thus, BTLA is a third inhibitory receptor on T lymphocytes with similarities to cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death 1 (PD-1).     

BTLA/HVEM抑制信号通路研究进展

BTLA是新近发现的Ig家族的抑制性受体,其唯一配体HVEM,来自TNF受体超家族,可与TNF家族的LIGHT结合提供正向刺激信号.而BTLA与HVEM的相互作用传递抑制信号下调淋巴细胞的免疫应答.这两个来自不同家族的受体间的负向调节作用,改变了对传统抑制性信号通路作用方式的看法.通过介绍目前对其生物学特性、信号传导机制及与相关疾病关系的研究,为进一步深入了解免疫应答的调控机制及寻找治疗自身免疫病、移植排斥、肿瘤等疾病的新方法提供参考.     

Characterization of a new human B7-related protein: B7RP-1 is the ligand to the co-stimulatory protein ICOS

Optimal T cell activation requires the interactions of co-stimulatory molecules, such as those in the CD28 and B7 protein families. Recently, we described the co-stimulatory properties of the murine ligand to ICOS, which we designated as B7RP-1. Here, we report the co-stimulation of human T cells through the human B7RP-1 and ICOS interaction. This ligand-receptor pair interacts with a K:(D) approximately 33 nM and an off-rate with a t((1/2)) > 10 min. Interestingly, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha differentially regulates the expression of human B7RP-1 on B cells, monocytes and dendritic cells (DC). TNF-alpha enhances B7RP-1 expression on B cells and monocytes, while it inhibits it on DC. The human B7RP-1-Fc protein or cells that express membrane-bound B7RP-1 co-stimulate T cell proliferation in vitro. Specific cytokines, such as IFN-gamma and IL-10, are induced by B7RP-1 co-stimulation. Although IL-2 levels are not significantly increased, B7RP-1 co-stimulation is dependent on IL-2. These experiments define the human ortholog to murine B7RP-1 and characterize its interaction with human ICOS.     

可溶性小鼠BTLA对树突状细胞表面B7-1和B7-2表达的影响

目的研究可溶性小鼠B/T淋巴细胞弱化因子（murine B and T lymphocyte attenuator ，mBTLA）-人IgG1 Fc融合蛋白（mBTLA-hIg）对树突状细胞表面共刺激分子表达的影响。方法克隆mBT／A基因，构建mBTLA胞外功能区和人IgG1Fc融合基因的真核表达载体（pmBTLA-hIg），并采用脂质体转染法，将pmBTLA-hIg质粒转染小鼠树突状细胞系（DC2．4）。采用RT-PCR、ELISA和Westem blot分别检测pmBTLA-hIg质粒转染DC中mBTLA基因mBNA的表达及细胞培养上清中mBTLA-hIg融合蛋白的表达；采用流式细胞术检测pmBTLA-hIg质粒转染对DC2．4表面共刺激分子B7-1（CD80）和B7-2（CD86）表达的影响。结果成功克隆了小鼠BT／A基因，并构建了真核表达载体；mBTLA-hIg融合基因转染的DC高表达mBTLA-hIg融合蛋白，并可结合到DC表面。表达可溶性mBTLA-hIg融合蛋白的DC2．4表面B7．1的表达上调，B7-2的表达下调，而且这种改变可被兔抗GST-mBTLA血清阻断。结论可溶性mBTLA-hIg融合蛋白对DC细胞表面研分子的表达具有调节作用，可能是BTLA反向信号作用于DC的结果。     

细菌伴侣蛋白Skp可通过C5a受体引起白细胞的趋化运动

目的证明大肠杆菌伴侣蛋白Skp可以诱导单核细胞和分叶核白细胞（PMN）产生趋化运动。方法分离提纯Skp，并通过分子质量测定和氨基端的氨基酸测序予以证实。使用S19核糖体蛋白和C5a的合成模拟肽链，进行受体拮抗试验。使用Skp的合成模拟肽链进行体外趋化实验分析其对白细胞的趋化作用。结果Skp对单核细胞和PMN具有趋化活性。其作用于C5a受体，也通过两步结合机制使受体活化。并推测Skp分子结构中．Gin83-Asp84-ArgS5-及-Set58-Asp59-Arg60-序列为可能的第二受体结合位点。结论C5a受体作为白细胞的趋化因子受体迄今为止被证明是两个内源性化学介质：C5a和S19核糖蛋白二聚体的受体。在此基础上，我们首次证明了大肠杆菌的伴侣蛋白Skp是一种来源于大肠杆菌的趋化因子。     

B7-H4——免疫调控以及肿瘤治疗的新靶点

B7-H4又称B7sl或B7x,是B7家族中的最新发现的一个新成员,它能通过抑制T细胞的增殖、细胞因子的产生和细胞周期的进程来负性调控T细胞的免疫应答,同时大量表达B7-H4还可以促进上皮细胞的恶性转化,保护表皮细胞免于失巢凋亡,在肿瘤的发生,进展和转归中发挥重要作用.对B7-H4信号通路的进一步的研究必将为自身免疫性疾病、病毒感染性疾病和器官移植后排斥反应中T细胞介导的免疫应答调控提供了新的途径,同时也为肿瘤的诊断、治疗提供崭新的策略.     

B7-h2 is a costimulatory ligand for CD28 in human

CD28 and CTLA-4 are cell surface cosignaling molecules essential for the control of T?cell activation upon the engagement of their ligands B7-1 and B7-2 from antigen-presenting cells. By employing a receptor array assay, we have demonstrated that B7-H2, best known as the ligand of inducible costimulator, was a ligand for CD28 and CTLA-4 in human, whereas these interactions were not conserved in mouse. B7-H2 and B7-1 or B7-2 interacted with CD28 through distinctive domains. B7-H2-CD28 interaction was essential for?the costimulation of human T?cells' primary responses to allogeneic antigens and memory recall responses. Similar to B7-1 and B7-2, B7-H2 costimulation via CD28 induced survival factor Bcl-xL, downregulated cell cycle inhibitor p27(kip1), and triggered signaling cascade of ERK and AKT kinase-dependent pathways. Our findings warrant re-evaluation of CD28 and CTLA-4's functions previously attributed exclusively to B7-1 and B7-2 and have important implications in therapeutic interventions against human diseases.     

HLA-B POT: a new HLA-antigen within the B7-cross reactive group

In this report, a new HLA-B locus antigen is described (tentatively called POT). The antigen has been identified with antisera against the antigens that belong to the B7-cross reacting group. In a collaborative study, based on exchange of cells and sera, it was confirmed by population and family studies that the antigen is distinct from B7, Bw42 or Bw73 and is associated with Bw6. In absorption experiments with EBV-transformed cell lines, the POT-antigens removes preferentially anti-B7, Bw42 and Bw73 activity and to a lesser extent antibodies reactive with the B40 CREG-antigens.     

Role of B cell inhibitory receptor polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus: a negative times a negative makes a positive

B lymphocytes play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we will review our studies on the role of polymorphisms of two genes coding for B cell inhibitory receptors, FCGR2B and CD72. In FCGR2B, a single nucleotide polymorphism leading to a nonsynonymous substitution, Ile232Thr, within the transmembrane domain was identified, and a significant association of the 232Thr/Thr genotype with SLE was observed in Japanese, Thai and Chinese populations, while this allele was found to be rare in Caucasians. On the other hand, the association of FCGR2B promoter polymorphism with SLE in Caucasians has been reported by two independent groups, but this allele was not found to be present in Japanese. These observations demonstrate that the association of FCGR2B polymorphisms with SLE is common to multiple populations, but the alleles associated with SLE depend upon the genetic background of each population. Functional analyses using a human B cell line lacking endogenous FcγRIIb revealed that SLE-associated 232Thr allele product was partially excluded from membrane lipid rafts under resting conditions and after coligation with B cell receptor, and was significantly less potent at inhibiting B cell activation. Two haplotypes were identified in CD72, one of which was associated with increased production of an alternative splicing isoform that substantially alters the extracellular region of CD72. Interestingly, the presence of the haplotype significantly decreased the risk of SLE conferred by FCGR2B-232Thr in an epistatic manner. These observations emphasize the need to understand human immune system diversity if we are to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.     

Characterization and genome sequence of Dev2, a new T7-like bacteriophage infecting Cronobacter turicensis

Cronobacter spp. are opportunistic pathogenic bacteria that are responsible for severe infections in neonates. Powdered infant formula was confirmed to be the source in some cases. Bacteriophages offer a safe means for eliminating this pathogen. In the present study, we investigated the growth parameters and genome organization of a new bacteriophage, Dev2, isolated from sewage. The Dev2 phage contains DNA with a length of 39 kb and belongs to the T7 branch of the subfamily Autographivirinae, with the highest degree of identity to the phage K1F. The host specificity of Dev2 is limited to C. turicensis strains of the CT O:1 serotype. With a lower efficiency, this phage also infects some Salmonella and E. coli strains. The Dev2 phage can inactivate sensitive Cronobacter strains in reconstituted milk formula. The results obtained in this study are an important prerequisite for application of Dev2 in food control.     

FLT3: receptor and ligand

FLT3 is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) expressed by immature hematopoietic progenitor cells. The ligand for FLT3 is a transmembrane or soluble protein and is expressed by a variety of cells including hematopoietic and marrow stromal cells; in combination with other growth factors, the ligand stimulates proliferation and development of stem cells, myeloid and lymphoid progenitor cells, dendritic cells and natural killer cells. Activation of the receptor leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of various key adaptor proteins known to be involved in different signal transduction pathways that control proliferation, survival and other processes in hematopoietic cells. FLT3 is not only of utmost interest regarding physiological processes of hematopoietic cells but also with regard to pathological aspects, namely leukemogenesis and diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of leukemia. Activating mutations of the receptor have been recognized as the most common genetic abnormality in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), occurring in about 30% of adult cases. AML patients with FLT3 mutations tend to have a poor prognosis, thus FLT3 is an attractive target of therapy, for instance using kinase inhibitors.     

The B7 and CD28 receptor families

Current evidence suggests that T-cell receptor (TCR) recognition of antigen bound to the major histocompatibility complex (Ag-MHC) is insufficient to lead to T-cell proliferation or effector function. For a helper T cell to produce sufficient interleukin 2 (IL-2) to allow autocrine-driven clonal expansion, there is a requirement for so-called ‘co-stimulatory’ or ‘accessory’ signals in addition to TCR ligation by Ag-MHC. The interaction of the CD28 receptor on T cells with B7 on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) supplies one such co-stimulatory signal. However, the recent discovery that CD28 and B7 are each members of larger gene families suggests that the regulation of co-stimulation is more complex than previously imagined. Here, Carl June and colleagues highlight recent advances in the understanding of the CD28 and B7 receptor families.     

Cooperation between IL-7 and the pre-B cell receptor: a key to B cell selection

Hematopoiesis is regulated by a variety of signals that either originate within a developing cell or are supplied by the surrounding environment in secreted- or contact-dependent forms. This review discusses the effects of one secreted factor, interleukin-7, on the development of B lymphocytes. We describe a molecular mechanism for a crucial checkpoint during B lineage maturation, based on the integration of signals mediated by the pre-B cell receptor, the interleukin-7 receptor, and the environment in which these signals are received.