Description
B- and T-Lymphocyte Attenuator (BTLA) is a single-pass type I membrane protein containing 1 Ig-like V-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain. BTLA expression is induced during activation of T cells, and BTLA remains expressed on Th1 cells but not Th2 cells. Like PD1 and CTLA4, BTLA interacts with a B7 homolog, B7H4. However, unlike PD-1 and CTLA-4, BTLA displays T-Cell inhibition via interaction with tumor necrosis family receptors (TNF-R), not just the B7 family of cell surface receptors. BTLA is a lymphocyte inhibitory receptor that inhibits lymphocytes during immune response. BTLA also is a ligand for tumor necrosis factor (receptor) superfamily, member 14 (TNFRSF14), also known as herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM). BTLAHVEM complexes negatively regulate T-cell immune responses.