PD1 signal transduction pathways in T cells

// Hugo Arasanz 1, * , Maria Gato-Canas 1, * , Miren Zuazo 1, * , Maria Ibanez-Vea 1, * , Karine Breckpot 3 , Grazyna Kochan 1 and David Escors 1, 2 1 Immunomodulation Group, Navarrabiomed-Biomedical Research Centre, IdISNA, Pamplona, Spain 2 Rayne Institute, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kindom 3 Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: David Escors, email: descorsm@navarra.es Grazyna Kochan, email: grazyna.kochan@navarra.es Keywords: PD-L1, PDL1, PD1, B7-H1, cancer Received: February 28, 2017      Accepted: March 24, 2017      Published: April 19, 2017 ABSTRACT The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of cancer is revolutionizing oncology. Amongst these therapeutic agents, antibodies that block PD-L1/PD1 interactions between cancer cells and T cells are demonstrating high efficacies and low toxicities. Despite all the recent advances, very little is yet known on the molecular intracellular signaling pathways regulated by either PD-L1 or PD1. Here we review the current knowledge on PD1-dependent intracellular signaling pathways, and the consequences of disrupting PD1 signal transduction.