Btla

BTLA, the acronym for "B and T lymphocyte associated" also known as "B and T lymphocyte matenuator", is a protein belonging to the family of anti-inflammatory immune checkpoints (ICs).

Anti-inflammatory immune checkpoints inhibit the immune reactivity of T lymphocytes, in contrast to pro-inflammatory ICs, which increase the immune reactivity of T lymphocytes. The immune checkpoints are activated by precisely fitting cytokines (ligands) that are presented and released by other cells.

In humans, the BTLA protein is encoded by the BTLA gene. It contains a single immunoglobulin domain and serves as a receptor that suppresses immunological reactions. The BTLA protein is a target for new anticarcinogenic therapy modalities (Torphy RJ et al. 2017)

1. Torphy RJ et al (2017) Newly Emerging Immune Checkpoints: Promises for Future Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 18. pii: E2642.
2. Ye Z et al (2016) Decreased B and T lymphocyte attenuator in Behcet's disease may trigger abnormal Th17 and Th1 immune responses. Sci Rep 6:20401.