Understanding how combinatorial targeting of TLRs and TNFR family costimulatory members promote enhanced T cell responses

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Due to the ability of pathogen-associated molecular patters and tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family costimulatory agonists to boost T cell responses, studies have combined Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands with TNFR family costimulatory receptor agonists to induce impressive and long-lasting T cell responses. Although some studies have determined how these combinatorial vaccines promote enhanced T cell responses, much remains unknown about the mechanism used by these combinations to promote synergistic T cell responses – especially in settings of infectious diseases or cancer.Areas covered: In this review, we look in detail at the signaling pathways induced by combinatorial targeting of TLR and TNFR family costimulatory members that help them promote synergistic T cell responses. Understanding this can greatly aid the development of novel vaccine regimens that promote cellular immune responses, which is essential for treating certain infectious diseases and cancer.Expert opin...