Immune intervention with monoclonal antibodies targeting CD152 (ctla-4) for autoimmune and malignant diseases

CD152 or cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is an essential receptor involved in the negative regulation of T cell activation. Because of its profound inhibitory role, CD152 has been considered a sound susceptible candidate in autoimmunity and a persuasive target for cancer immunotherapy for over a decade. However, the precise roles played by this molecule continue to emerge. In particular, recent evidence suggests that CD152 is also important in the homeostasis and function of a population of suppressive cells, termed regulatory T cells (Treg). In this review, we discuss the recent progress and main features of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting CD152 and examine how each mAb prepared to a distinct epitope may impact differently upon CD152 modulation depending on its demonstrated regulatory role acting as an agonist, antagonist, or inverse agonist.