Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Use of Single Chain MHC Technology to Investigate Co-agonism in Human CD8+ T Cell Activation
12:09

Use of Single Chain MHC Technology to Investigate Co-agonism in Human CD8+ T Cell Activation

Published on: February 28, 2019

Molecular mechanisms of T cell co-stimulation and co-inhibition

Lieping Chen1, Dallas B Flies

  • 1Department of Immunobiology and Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06519, USA. lieping.chen@yale.edu

Nature Reviews. Immunology
|March 9, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory receptors regulate T cell responses. Their diverse functions are context-dependent, influencing T cell activation, differentiation, and overall function.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory receptors are crucial regulators of T cell biology.
  • These receptors modulate the outcome of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review emerging concepts in co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory receptor function.
  • To explore the mechanisms controlling T cell activation, differentiation, and function by these receptors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on recent advancements in the field.
  • Analysis of biochemical signaling pathways downstream of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory receptors.
  • Delineation of immunological functions and context-dependent roles.

Main Results:

  • Co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory receptors exhibit significant diversity in expression, structure, and function.
  • The functional impact of these receptors is highly dependent on the cellular and environmental context.
  • Emerging evidence highlights novel roles and signaling mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory receptors are key determinants of T cell fate and function.
  • Understanding their diverse and context-specific roles is essential for advancing T cell immunology.
  • Further research into these receptors holds potential for therapeutic interventions.

More Related Videos

Identification of Mediators of T-cell Receptor Signaling via the Screening of Chemical Inhibitor Libraries08:49

Identification of Mediators of T-cell Receptor Signaling via the Screening of Chemical Inhibitor Libraries

Published on: January 22, 2019

Whole Blood Assay with Dual Co-Stimulation for Antigen-Specific Analysis of Host Immunity to Fungal and Viral Pathogens06:03

Whole Blood Assay with Dual Co-Stimulation for Antigen-Specific Analysis of Host Immunity to Fungal and Viral Pathogens

Published on: September 20, 2024

Related Concept Videos

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Co-activators and Co-repressors02:04

Co-activators and Co-repressors

Gene transcription is regulated by the synergistic action of several proteins that form a complex at a gene regulatory site. This is observed in eukaryotes, where the regulation of gene expression is a complex process. Regulatory proteins in eukaryotes can broadly be classified into two types – regulators that bind directly to specific DNA sequences and co-regulators that associate with regulatory proteins but cannot directly bind to the DNA. These co-regulators are further divided into...