PD-L2 is expressed on activated human T cells and regulates their function

Abstract

T-cell activation and proliferation are regulated by cosignaling adhesion molecules involved in positive or negative signals. Programmed death (PD)-1 is one of immune inhibitory molecules that is expressed in activated T cells and is a promising target for immunotherapy. Both PD-1 ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2 are expressed on antigen presenting cells (APCs) involved in the dialogue between a T cell and an APC. Here, we analysed the expression of these ligands, especially for PD-L2, on T cells. PD-L2 appears to be expressed on activated CD4 and CD8T cell subsets. Moreover, as PD-1 molecule, PD-L2 engagement at the surface of T cells is able to down-modulate cytokine production and cell proliferation. These observations indicate that PD-L2 is expressed following activation and is involved in the regulation of T cell function, highlighting the level of complexity in the T cell cosignaling network.