B7-H4, a promising target for immunotherapy

Cell Immunol. 2020 Jan:347:104008. doi: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2019.104008. Epub 2019 Nov 4.

Abstract

The coinhibitory molecule B7-H4, an important member of the B7 family, is abnormally expressed in tumors, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. B7-H4 negatively regulates T cell immune response and promotes immune escape by inhibiting the proliferation, cytokine secretion, and cell cycle of T cells. Moreover, B7-H4 plays an extremely important role in tumorigenesis and tumor development including cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, anti-apoptosis, etc. In addition, B7-H4 has the other biological functions, such as protection against type 1 diabetes (T1D) and islet cell transplantation. Therefore, B7-H4 has been identified as a novel marker or a therapeutic target for the treatment of tumors, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and organ transplantation. Here, we summarized the expression profiles, physiological and pathological functions, and regulatory mechanisms of B7-H4, the signaling pathways involved, as well as B7-H4-based immunotherapy.

Keywords: B7-H4; Immune escape; Immunotherapy; Regulatory mechanism; Tumorigenesis and tumor development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Cell Cycle / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Tumor Escape / immunology
  • V-Set Domain-Containing T-Cell Activation Inhibitor 1 / genetics*
  • V-Set Domain-Containing T-Cell Activation Inhibitor 1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • V-Set Domain-Containing T-Cell Activation Inhibitor 1
  • VTCN1 protein, human