Time courses of B7 family molecules expressed on activated T-cells and their biological significance

Abstract B7 family molecules are mainly expressed on the outer membrane of antigen-presenting cells. Here, our results demonstrate that CD80, CD86, and PD-L1 molecules are also expressed on T-cells that have been activated by simultaneous exposure to anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAbs, but PD-L2 and GL50 molecules were not detectable during the first six days of culture that follow such stimulation. We have analysed the time course of B7 family molecule expression on activated T-cells. CD28 and its ligands, CD80/CD86, have a high degree of co-localization and exhibit compartmental distribution on the membrane of activated T-cells, which is visualized by confocal microscopy. Interestingly, the co-localization of PD-1 and its ligand also exhibit similar phenomenon. Additionally, we provide evidence indicating that the CD80, CD86, and PD-L1 molecules are functional, since T-cells expressing B7 family molecules are able to stimulate the proliferation of highly purified allogeneic or autologous T-cells. Anti-CD80, anti-CD86, and soluble CD28-Ig protein could significantly attenuate the proliferation of T-cells, whereas anti-PD-L1 mAb may lead to the expansion of activated T-cells. We can conclude that activated T-cells expressing B7 family molecules could act as “APC” to trigger purified T-cells, and B7 family molecules play important roles during the activation of T-cells. These results indicate a need for further work, exploring the regulatory roles these molecules may play in immune responses.