Cytokines & Chemokines

CD40 is a costimulatory protein found on antigen presenting cells and is required for their activation. The binding of CD154 (CD40L) on TH cells to CD40 activates antigen presenting cells and induces a variety of downstream effects.CD40 molecule is a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. There are number of completed and ongoing clinical trials where agonistic anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies are employed to activate an anti-tumor T cell response via activation of dendritic cells.

Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 4 (TNFSF4) is also known as glycoprotein Gp34, OX40 ligand (OX40L), which belongs to the tumor necrosis factor family. It is expressed on such cells as DC2s (a subtype of dendritic cells) enabling amplification of Th2 cell differentiation.

CD2-like receptor activating cytotoxic cells (CRACC), also known as CS1, novel Ly9, SLAMF7, and CD319, is a 65-75 kDa type I transmembrane glycoprotein in the SLAM subgroup of the CD2 family, a self-ligand receptor of the signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) family. SLAM receptors triggered by homo- or heterotypic cell-cell interactions are modulating the activation and differentiation of a wide variety of immune cells and thus are involved in the regulation and interconnection of both innate and adaptive immune responses.

MUC16, also known as the CA125 antigen, is a mucin protein that may be found in type I transmembrane or secreted forms that are used monitor the progress of epithelial ovarian cancer therapy. Thought to provide a protective, lubricating barrier against particles and infectious agents at mucosal surfaces. Binding to MSLN mediates heterotypic cell adhesion. This may contribute to the metastasis of ovarian cancer to the peritoneum by initiating cell attachment to the mesothelial epithelium via binding to MSLN.

B- and T-Lymphocyte Attenuator (BTLA) is a single-pass type I membrane protein containing 1 Ig-like V-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain. BTLA expression is induced during activation of T cells, and BTLA remains expressed on Th1 cells but not Th2 cells. Like PD1 and CTLA4, BTLA interacts with a B7 homolog, B7H4. However, unlike PD-1 and CTLA-4, BTLA displays T-Cell inhibition via interaction with tumor necrosis family receptors (TNF-R), not just the B7 family of cell surface receptors. BTLA is a lymphocyte inhibitory receptor that inhibits lymphocytes during immune response. BTLA also is a ligand for tumor necrosis factor (receptor) superfamily, member 14 (TNFRSF14), also known as herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM). BTLAHVEM complexes negatively regulate T-cell immune responses.

Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 9(4-1BBL) is single-pass type II membrane protein which is a member of the the tumor necrosis factor family. 4 1BBL is a 254 amino acids cytokine that is expressed in brain, placenta, lung, skeletal muscle and kidney. TNFSF9 has been shown to reactivate anergic T lymphocytes in addition to promoting T lymphocyte proliferation. This cytokine may have a role in activation-induced cell death (AICD) and cognate interactions between T-cells and B-cells/macrophages. It has also been shown to be required for the optimal CD8 responses in CD8 T cells, and is thought to be involved in T cell-tumor cell interaction.

Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 9(4-1BBL) is single-pass type II membrane protein which is a member of the the tumor necrosis factor family. 4 1BBL is a 254 amino acids cytokine that is expressed in brain, placenta, lung, skeletal muscle and kidney. TNFSF9 has been shown to reactivate anergic T lymphocytes in addition to promoting T lymphocyte proliferation. This cytokine may have a role in activation-induced cell death (AICD) and cognate interactions between T-cells and B-cells/macrophages. It has also been shown to be required for the optimal CD8 responses in CD8 T cells, and is thought to be involved in T cell-tumor cell interaction.

Galectin-9 is a cytoplasmic protein that contains two galectin domains. Galectin-9 is an S-type lectin that is over-expressed in Hodgkin's disease tissue. Galectin-9 binds galactosides and has high affinity for the Forssman pentasaccharide. Galectin-9 plays a role in thymocyte-epithelial interactions relevant to the biology of the thymus and Inhibits cell proliferation. Galectin-9 is a ligand for HAVCR2/TIM3 and induces T-helper type 1 lymphocyte (Th1) death. In addition, Galectin-9 suppresses tumor cell metastasis by interfering with the associations CD44, VCAM-1, Integrin α4β1.

Galectin-9 is a cytoplasmic protein that contains two galectin domains. Galectin-9 is an S-type lectin that is over-expressed in Hodgkin's disease tissue. Galectin-9 binds galactosides and has high affinity for the Forssman pentasaccharide. Galectin-9 plays a role in thymocyte-epithelial interactions relevant to the biology of the thymus and Inhibits cell proliferation. Galectin-9 is a ligand for HAVCR2/TIM3 and induces T-helper type 1 lymphocyte (Th1) death. In addition, Galectin-9 suppresses tumor cell metastasis by interfering with the associations CD44, VCAM-1, Integrin α4β1.