Published online before print December 9, 2009
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* Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Biomedicine, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Leon, Spain;
Bone Marrow Transplantation Section, Transplantation Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
Surgical Research Unit, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; and
Alberta Diabetes Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
1. Correspondence: Institute of Biomedicine (Immunobiology), University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071-Leon, Spain. E-mail: ignacio.barbosa{at}unileon.es
Abstract
Immunosuppression is currently the treatment of choice to attenuate the chronic deterioration of tissue function as a result of the effector mechanisms of the immunological response in transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases. However, global immunosuppression greatly increases the risk of acquiring life-threatening infections and is associated with organ toxicity when used long-term. Thus, alternative approaches that inhibit only the unwanted immune responses and preserve general immunity are highly desirable. The receptor/ligand pairs involved in the cross-talk between DC and T cells have been the focus of intense and exciting research during the last decade. The HVEM/LIGHT/BTLA/CD160 costimulatory/coinhibitory pathway has emerged as a potential target for the development of immune therapeutic interventions. Herein, we will summarize and discuss how blockade of the costimulatory HVEM/LIGHT interaction or agonist signaling through the inhibitory BTLA and CD160 receptors could contribute to the control of deleterious immune responses.
Key Words: coinhibition costimulation transplantation autoimmunity