CTLA4 produced in Sf9 Baculovirus cells is a single, glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 135 amino acids (36-161a.a.) and having a molecular mass of 14.6kDa (Molecular size on SDS-PAGE will appear at approximately 18-28kDa).
CTLA4 is expressed with a 6 amino acid His tag at C-Terminus and purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Associated Antigen-4 (CTLA-4), also known as CD152, is a critical immune checkpoint molecule that plays a pivotal role in regulating immune responses. It is predominantly expressed on the surface of activated T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs). The recombinant form of CTLA-4, produced in Sf9 insect cells, is utilized in various research and therapeutic applications.
CTLA-4 is a single-chain transmembrane glycoprotein that shares structural similarities with the co-stimulatory molecule CD28. Both CTLA-4 and CD28 bind to the B7 family molecules (CD80/CD86) on antigen-presenting cells (APCs), but with opposing effects. While CD28 promotes T cell activation and proliferation, CTLA-4 acts as a negative regulator, dampening T cell responses and maintaining immune homeostasis .
CTLA-4 competes with CD28 for binding to CD80/CD86 with higher affinity, thereby inhibiting the co-stimulatory signals required for full T cell activation. This competitive inhibition is crucial for preventing overactivation of the immune system, which can lead to autoimmunity . In addition to its role in T cells, CTLA-4 has been shown to modulate B cell responses, particularly in the context of autoimmune diseases .
The immunoregulatory properties of CTLA-4 have made it an attractive target for therapeutic interventions, particularly in cancer and autoimmune diseases. CTLA-4-Ig, a fusion protein combining the extracellular domain of CTLA-4 with the Fc region of IgG1, has been developed to inhibit T cell activation by blocking CD80/CD86 interactions. This therapeutic approach has shown efficacy in treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and has been explored in cancer immunotherapy .
CTLA-4 plays a significant role in tumor immunity by modulating T cell responses within the tumor microenvironment. Tumor cells often exploit immune checkpoint molecules like CTLA-4 to evade immune detection and destruction. By inhibiting CTLA-4, immune checkpoint inhibitors can restore T cell activity and enhance anti-tumor immune responses. This has led to the development of monoclonal antibodies targeting CTLA-4, which have demonstrated clinical benefits in various malignancies, including melanoma and renal cell carcinoma .