CD27 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily.[5] It is currently of interest to immunologists as a co-stimulatory immune checkpoint molecule, and is the target of an anti-cancer drug in clinical trials.[6]
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily.[11] This receptor is required for generation and long-term maintenance of T cell immunity. It binds to ligand CD70, and plays a key role in regulating B-cell activation and immunoglobulin synthesis.[5]
When CD27 binds CD70, a signaling cascade leads to the differentiation and clonal expansion of T cells.[11] The cascade also results in improved survival and memory of cytotoxic T cells and increased production of certain cytokines.[12] This receptor transduces signals that lead to the activation of NF-κB and MAPK8/JNK.[11] Adaptor proteins TRAF2, TRAF3, and TRAF5 have been shown to mediate the signaling process of this receptor via ubiquitination.[5][6] CD27-binding protein (SIVA), a proapoptotic protein, can bind to this receptor and is thought to play an important role in the apoptosis induced by this receptor.[13]
In murine γδ T cells its expression has been correlated with the secretion of IFNγ.[14]
Clinical significance
As a drug target
Varlilumab is an IgG1 antibody that binds to CD27 and is an experimental cancer treatment.[6] This agonist antibody stimulates CD27 when it binds.[6] The drug is in early clinical trials and appears to stimulate T cells and increase production of cytokines such as interferon-gamma.[6][11]
^ abYamamoto H, Kishimoto T, Minamoto S (November 1998). "NF-kappaB activation in CD27 signaling: involvement of TNF receptor-associated factors in its signaling and identification of functional region of CD27". Journal of Immunology. 161 (9): 4753–9. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.161.9.4753. PMID9794406. S2CID22442601.
Lens SM, de Jong R, Hintzen RQ, Koopman G, van Lier RA, van Oers RH (June 1995). "CD27-CD70 interaction: unravelling its implication in normal and neoplastic B-cell growth". Leukemia & Lymphoma. 18 (1–2): 51–9. doi:10.3109/10428199509064922. PMID8580829.
Agematsu K (April 2000). "Memory B cells and CD27". Histology and Histopathology. 15 (2): 573–6. doi:10.14670/HH-15.573. PMID10809378.