The Role of B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator in Immune Regulation and Immune Related Diseases / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

ABSTRACT

B / T lymphuocyte attenuator (BTLA) is one of the important checkpoint molecules in immune regulation. BTLA belongs to the CD28 superfamily, and its protein structure is similar to programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4). BTLA is mainly expressed in B and T cells, and has also been found in some innate immune cells such as dendritic cells and monocytes. To date, the herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) is the only ligand for BTLA found in human cells. HVEM belongs to the Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, and its interaction with BTLA directly connects CD28 and TNFR families. The binding of BTLA with HVEM often mediates immunosuppressive effects and plays an important role in maintaining immune tolerance. However, recent studies have found that the BTLA / HVEM pathway not only provides negative regulatory signals, but also promotes the survival of T cells. This bidirectional signaling system renders BTLA-mediated immune regulation more sophisticated and complex. Growing evidence has shown that BTLA is involved in T cells, B cells and dendritic cell-mediated immune regulation, and therefore plays an important role in a variety of immune related diseases, such as inflammation, tumor, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. Based on the latest research progress at home and abroad, this paper reviews the role of BTLA in immune regulation and immune related diseases.