Immune Checkpoint

Immune checkpoint is a kind of signal for regulating the antigen recognition of T cell receptor (TCR) in the process of immune responce. Immune checkpoint contains two kinds of signals: (1) Co-stimulatory immune checkpoint: stimulating immune progress, such as CD28, ICOS, and CD137; (2) Co-inhibitory immune checkpoint: inhibiting immune progress, such as PD1, CTLA-4, and VISTA. When immune system is attacking pathogens, these immune checkpoint molecules can protect the normal tissues from damage. The cancer cells cleverly escape from immune attack by dysregulating immune checkpoint related proteins. Immune checkpoint therapy relys on functioning immune system with agonists of co-stimulatory signals or antagonists of inhibitory signals.

Immune checkpoint molecule