Greater than 90.0% as determined by SDS-PAGE.
Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Associated Antigen-4 (CTLA-4), also known as CD152, is a critical immune checkpoint receptor that plays a significant 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, particularly from mouse models, has been extensively studied to understand its biological functions and therapeutic potential.
CTLA-4 is a single-chain transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. In mice, the CTLA-4 protein consists of 162 amino acids with a molecular weight ranging between 25-30 kDa . It is expressed mainly on CD4+ T cells and binds to the B7 family molecules (CD80 and CD86) on antigen-presenting cells with higher affinity than its homolog, CD28 .
CTLA-4 serves as a negative regulator of T cell activation. Upon binding to its ligands, CTLA-4 transmits inhibitory signals that dampen T cell responses, thereby maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmunity . This inhibitory function is crucial for the survival and function of Tregs, which play a pivotal role in suppressing immune responses and maintaining self-tolerance .
CTLA-4’s role extends to tumor immunity, where it modulates T cell responses to aid tumor cells in evading immune detection . By inhibiting T cell activation and proliferation, CTLA-4 contributes to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This has led to the development of anti-CTLA-4 antibody therapies aimed at blocking CTLA-4 to restore T cell activation and enhance anti-tumor immunity .
The therapeutic potential of targeting CTLA-4 has been explored in various clinical settings. Monoclonal antibodies against CTLA-4, such as ipilimumab, have shown promising results in treating several malignancies, including melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and non-small cell lung carcinoma . These therapies work by blocking CTLA-4, thereby reversing Treg-mediated suppression and promoting robust anti-tumor immune responses .
Recombinant mouse CTLA-4 proteins are widely used in research to study the molecular mechanisms of CTLA-4-mediated immune regulation. These studies have provided valuable insights into the role of CTLA-4 in immune homeostasis, autoimmunity, and cancer . Ongoing research aims to further optimize CTLA-4 blockade and explore its potential in combination with other immune checkpoint inhibitors for enhanced therapeutic efficacy .