CD160 inhibits activation of human CD4+ T cells through interaction with herpes virus entry mediator

Area: Immunology

CD160 expression increases if human CD4+ T cells are activated. Crosslinking of CD160 with a monoclonal antibody inhibits CD3- and CD28-mediated T cell activation. CD160 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is expressed in cytolytic lymphocytes as well as in some unstimulated CD4+ T cells.

The herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) is a ligand of CD160 and functions as a 'bidirectional switch' for T cell activation. Whether the result is positive or negative depends on the engagement of HVEM by CD160 and other established HVEM ligands like B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) or the T lymphocyte receptor LIGHT.

CD4+ T cell activation in HVEM-transfected cells was dependent on CD160 and BTLA. By deletion of the cysteine-rich domain 1 of HVEM the inhibition is lost and T cells were activated. CD160 seems to be a negative regulator of CD4+ T cell activation through its interaction with HVEM.

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Source: Guifang Cai et al.: CD160 inhibits activation of human CD4+ T cells through interaction with herpesvirus entry mediator, Nature Immunology 9, 176 - 185 (February 2008)