Structural modeling of soluble CD80 glycoprotein and its role in immunotherapy

Abstract

Students participating in the Students Modeling A Research Topic (SMART) Team partnership program involving Henry E. Lackey High School, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Milwaukee School of Engineering used 3D printing technology to create a physical model of the soluble form of CD80 glycoprotein and researched its role in regulating proteins known to prevent T‐cell activation. The CD80 glycoprotein has two immunoglobulin‐like (Ig‐like) domains connected by an interdomain linker region. These Ig‐like domains bind to CD28, CTLA‐4 and programmed death ligand‐1 (PDL‐1) proteins. The expression of PDL‐1 on human cancer cells prevents tumor cells from T‐cell attack and elimination. In recent experiments, CD80 was shown to play a role in the cell surface expression of PDL‐1. Specifically, the transfection of the gene coding for CD80 into human cancer cells has inhibited expression of PDL‐1, the mechanism of which is unclear. Further exploration of soluble CD80 may improve understanding of its interactions with PDL‐1 and aid the development of a soluble CD80 immunotherapy for cancer. Supported by a grant from the HHMI Pre‐College Program School and NIH #RO1CA84232 to Ostrand‐Rosenberg.