Abstract
The upregulation of immune checkpoint molecules, such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), on immune cells occurs during acute infections, such as malaria, as well as during chronic persistent viral infections, including HIV and hepatitis B virus. These pathways are important for preventing immune-driven pathology but can also limit immune-mediated clearance of the infection. The recent success of immune checkpoint blockade in cancer therapy suggests that targeting these pathways would also be effective for preventing and treating a range of infectious diseases. Here, we review our current understanding of immune checkpoint pathways in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and discuss the potential for therapeutically targeting these pathways in this setting.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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CTLA-4 Antigen / antagonists & inhibitors*
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CTLA-4 Antigen / immunology
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Communicable Diseases / immunology*
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Communicable Diseases / therapy*
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HIV Infections / immunology
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HIV Infections / therapy
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Hepatitis B / immunology
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Hepatitis B / therapy
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Humans
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Immune Tolerance
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Immunotherapy / methods*
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Malaria / immunology
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Malaria / therapy
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Models, Immunological
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Neoplasms / immunology
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Neoplasms / therapy
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Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / immunology
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Signal Transduction / immunology
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Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
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Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / therapy
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / immunology
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Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / therapy
Substances
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CTLA-4 Antigen
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Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor