Human PD-L2/B7-DC Alexa Fluor® 647-conjugated Antibody

T cells require a signal induced by the engagement of the T cell receptor and a “co‑stimulatory” signal(s) through distinct T cell surface molecules for optimal T cell activation and tolerance. Members of the B7 superfamily of counter-receptors were identified by their ability to interact with co‑stimulatory molecules found on the surface of T cells. Members of the B7 superfamily include B7-1 (CD80), B7-2 (CD86), B7-H1 (PD-L1), B7-H2 (B7RP-1), B7-H3, and PD-L2 (B7-DC) (1). B7 proteins are immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily members with extracellular Ig-V-like and Ig-C-like domains and short cytoplasmic domains. Among the family members, they share from 20‑40% amino acid (aa) sequence identity. The cloned human PD-L2 cDNA encodes a 273 aa type I membrane precursor protein with a putative 20 aa signal peptide, a 201 aa extracellular region containing one V-like and one C-like Ig domain, a 24 aa transmembrane region, and a 28 aa cytoplasmic domain. The extracellular domains of mouse and human PD-L2 share approximately 70% aa sequence identity (2). PD-L2 is one of two ligands for programmed death-1 (PD-1), a member of the CD28 family of immuno-receptors. The other identified ligand is PD-L1. Human PD-L1 and PD-L2 share approximately 41% aa sequence identity and have similar functions. PD-L2 is broadly expressed in tissues. Highest expression was detected by Northern blot analysis in heart, placenta, liver, pancreas, spleen, and lymph node. Lower amounts of expression were observed in lung, smooth muscle, and thymus. Expression of PD-L2 on antigen presenting cell has been examined in detail. Resting B cells, monocytes and dendritic cells do not express PD-L2, expression however can be induced by LPS or BCR activation in B cells, INF-gamma treatment in monocytes, or LPS plus IFN-gamma treatment of dendritic cells. PD-L2 expression is also up regulated in a variety of tumor cell lines. On previously activated T cells, PD-L2 interaction with PD-1 inhibits TCR-mediated proliferation and cytokine production, suggesting an inhibitory role in regulating immune responses. In contrast, a co‑stimulatory function for the PD-L2 on resting T cells activated with sub-optimal TCR signals has also been reported (3).