The expression, function, and clinical relevance of B7 family members in cancer

Barbara Seliger1, Dagmar Quandt

  • 1Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Strasse 2, Halle (Saale), Germany. barbara.seliger@uk-halle.de

Insights

Tumor cells suppress immune responses using B7 family molecules to evade detection. Blocking these inhibitory signals offers a promising cancer immunotherapy strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Tumor cells evade immune surveillance by modulating anti-tumor immune responses.
  • The B7 family of molecules plays a critical role in regulating immune responses through co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory signals.
  • Overexpression of certain B7 family members in tumors is linked to cancer progression and immune evasion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of B7 family molecules in tumor immune evasion.
  • To explore the potential of targeting B7 family interactions for cancer immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of B7 family molecule expression in tumor cells.
  • Studies on the balance of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory signals in the tumor microenvironment.
  • Evaluation of strategies to block inhibitory B7-mediated signals.

Main Results:

  • B7 family molecules are key regulators of immune cell activation and tolerance in cancer.
  • Dysregulation of B7 family interactions contributes to tumor immune suppression.
  • Blocking co-inhibitory B7 signals shows potential for enhancing anti-tumor immunity.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting B7 family interactions represents a viable immunotherapeutic approach for cancer treatment.
  • Understanding the B7 network is crucial for developing effective cancer immunotherapies.
  • Modulating immune checkpoints via B7 blockade can overcome tumor-induced immune suppression.

Related Concept Videos

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions01:20

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily  involved in a...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...