B7-1 or B7-2 Is Required to Produce the Lymphoproliferative Phenotype in Mice Lacking Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte–associated Antigen 4 (CTLA-4)

The costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2 regulate T lymphocyte activation by delivering activating signals through CD28 and inhibitory signals through cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4). The importance of CTLA-4–mediated inhibition was demonstrated by the uncontrolled T cell activation and lymphoproliferative disease that develops in CTLA-4–deficient (−/−) mice. To examine the role of B7 signaling in the activation of CTLA-4–deficient T cells, we bred CTLA-4^−/− mice with mice lacking B7-1, B7-2, or both B7 molecules. The CTLA-4/B7-1^−/− and the CTLA-4/B7-2^−/− mice develop lymphoproliferation and enhanced T cell activation. Mice lacking CTLA-4, B7-1, and B7-2 have a normal life-span, and do not have lymphocytic infiltrates in any organs, or increased T cell activation. Therefore, the two B7 molecules have overlapping functions, since either B7-1 or B7-2 alone can cause the CTLA-4^−/− phenotype. Elimination of both B7-1 and B7-2 from the CTLA-4– deficient mouse abrogates the lymphocyte activation and disease, and does not reveal evidence for additional stimulatory CD28 ligands. The CTLA-4^−/− phenotype can be reproduced with anti-CD28 antibody in mice lacking CTLA-4, B7-1, and B7-2, but wild-type mice are unaffected by the same treatment. This suggests that the inhibitory function of CTLA-4 can overcome strong CD28-mediated signaling in vivo.