Expression of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 [CTLA-4; CD152] on peripheral blood T lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus children

ABSTRACT

Background: CTLA-4 [CD152] encodes cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4, a cell-surface molecule providing a negative signal for T-cell activation. CTLA-4/B7 is the most important costimulation-signaling pathway that regulates T cell responses and plays a critical role in maintenance and breakdown of selftolerance, and hence in susceptibility to autoimmune diseases