Mechanistic dissection of the PD-L1:B7-1 co-inhibitory immune complex

PLoS One. 2020 Jun 4;15(6):e0233578. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233578. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

The B7 family represents one of the best-studied subgroups within the Ig superfamily, yet new interactions continue to be discovered. However, this binding promiscuity represents a major challenge for defining the biological contribution of each specific interaction. We developed a strategy for addressing these challenges by combining cell microarray and high-throughput FACS methods to screen for promiscuous binding events, map binding interfaces, and generate functionally selective reagents. Applying this approach to the interactions of mPD-L1 with its receptor mPD-1 and its ligand mB7-1, we identified the binding interface of mB7-1 on mPD-L1 and as a result generated mPD-L1 mutants with binding selectivity for mB7-1 or mPD-1. Next, using a panel of mB7-1 mutants, we mapped the binding sites of mCTLA-4, mCD28 and mPD-L1. Surprisingly, the mPD-L1 binding site mapped to the dimer interface surface of mB7-1, placing it distal from the CTLA-4/CD28 recognition surface. Using two independent approaches, we demonstrated that mPD-L1 and mB7-1 bind in cis, consistent with recent reports from Chaudhri A et al. and Sugiura D et al. We further provide evidence that while CTLA-4 and CD28 do not directly compete with PD-L1 for binding to B7-1, they can disrupt the cis PD-L1:B7-1 complex by reorganizing B7-1 on the cell surface. These observations offer new functional insights into the regulatory mechanisms associated with this group of B7 family proteins and provide new tools to elucidate their function in vitro and in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / metabolism*
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism
  • B7-1 Antigen / genetics
  • B7-1 Antigen / metabolism*
  • B7-H1 Antigen / genetics
  • B7-H1 Antigen / metabolism*
  • Binding Sites
  • CD28 Antigens / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CTLA-4 Antigen / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Antigens, Surface
  • B7-1 Antigen
  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • CD28 Antigens
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Cd274 protein, mouse
  • Ctla4 protein, mouse
  • Mutant Proteins

Grants and funding

SCA - HG008325 - NIH - National Human Genome Research Institute. The authors RDS and BH contributed to this manuscript prior to their employment with Cue Biopharma, Inc. Cue Biopharma, Inc. continues to employ authors RDS and BH, and did not have any role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.