What is cd80 and cd86?

Both CD80 and CD86 are moderately-sized (<60kDa) transmembrane glycoproteins, with their most well-known roles being as costimulatory molecules for T-cell activation and B-cell regulation. In simpler terms, they help initiate and maintain immune responses for both external pathogens and internal threats (such as cancer cells). When the body does not adequately express CD80 or CD86, dangerous cells are not recognized by the immune system, or even when they are recognized, will not provoke a response from lymphocytes.

The two ligands are activated themselves by binding with CD28 and CD152, which stimulate and inhibit T-cell response. Any dysregulation with these molecules can lead to absence or uncontrolled immune activity, both of which can have severe health consequences.

CD80 and CD86 activity is often studied in the lab using fluorescently-labeled antibodies that target these proteins. By visualizing the expression of these crucial proteins, their contribution to immune response can be more thoroughly understood.

References:

1. Lim TS, Goh JKH, Mortellaro A, Lim CT, Hämmerling GJ, Ricciardi-Castagnoli P (2012) CD80 and CD86 Differentially Regulate Mechanical Interactions of T-Cells with Antigen-Presenting Dendritic Cells and B-Cells. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45185. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0045185
2. Carlos S. Subauste, Rene de Waal Malefyt, Franklin Fuh (1998) Role of CD80 (B7.1) and CD86 (B7.2) in the Immune Response to an Intracellular Pathogen. The Journal of Immunology 160(4): 1831-1840. https://www.jimmunol.org/content/160/4/1831