Application of Monoclonal Antibodies in a Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Identification and Detection of Soluble Human B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator

Soluble form of immune checkpoints in autoimmune diseases

Immune checkpoints are essential regulators of immune responses, either by activating or suppressing them. Consequently, they are regarded as pivotal elements in the management of infections, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. In recent years, researchers have identified numerous soluble immune checkpoints that are produced through various mechanisms and demonstrated biological activity. These soluble immune checkpoints can be produced and distributed in the bloodstream and various tissues, with their roles in immune response dysregulation and autoimmunity extensively documented. This review aims to provide a thorough overview of the generation of various soluble immune checkpoints, such as sPD-1, sCTLA-4, sTim-3, s4-1BB, sBTLA, sLAG-3, sCD200, and the B7 family, and their importance as indicators for the diagnosis and prediction of autoimmune conditions. Furthermore, the review will investigate the potential pathological mechanisms of soluble immune checkpoints in autoimmune diseases, emphasizing their association with autoimmune diseases development, prognosis, and treatment.

BTLA biology in cancer: from bench discoveries to clinical potentials

Immune checkpoints play a critical role in maintaining the delicate balance of immune activation in order to prevent potential harm caused by excessive activation, autoimmunity, or tissue damage. B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is one of crucial checkpoint, regulating stimulatory and inhibitory signals in immune responses. Its interaction with the herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) plays an essential role in negatively regulating immune responses, thereby preserving immune homeostasis. In cancer, abnormal cells evade immune surveillance by exploiting checkpoints like BTLA. Upregulated BTLA expression is linked to impaired anti-tumor immunity and unfavorable disease outcomes. In preclinical studies, BTLA-targeted therapies have shown improved treatment outcomes and enhanced antitumor immunity. This review aims to provide an in-depth understanding of BTLA's biology, its role in various cancers, and its potential as a prognostic factor. Additionally, it explores the latest research on BTLA blockade in cancer immunotherapy, offering hope for more effective cancer treatments.

Sustained elevation of soluble B- and T- lymphocyte attenuator predicts long-term mortality in patients with bacteremia and sepsis

Soluble B and T lymphocyte attenuator (sBTLA) has been shown to be associated with severity and outcome, in critically ill septic patients. We aimed to assess the dynamic expression of sBTLA, as a prognostic biomarker of long-term mortality in patients with bloodstream infection (BSI) and sepsis, and to evaluate its association with biomarkers indicative of inflammation and immune dysregulation. Secondarily, sBTLA was evaluated in association with severity and bacterial etiology. Patients with BSI (n = 108) were prospectively included, and serially sampled from admission to day 28. Blood and plasma donors (n = 31), sampled twice 28 days apart, served as controls. sBTLA concentration in plasma was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associations between sBTLA on day 1-2 and 7, and mortality at 90 days and 1 year, were determined with unadjusted, and adjusted Cox regression. Differences related to severity was assessed with linear regression. Mixed model was used to assess sBTLA dynamics over time, and sBTLA associations with bacterial etiology and other biomarkers. sBTLA on day 1-2 and 7 was associated with mortality, in particular failure to normalize sBTLA by day 7 was associated with an increased risk of death before day 90, adjusted HR 17 (95% CI 1.8-160), and one year, adjusted HR 15 (95% CI 2.8-76). sBTLA was positively associated with CRP, and negatively with lymphocyte count. sBTLA on day 1-2 was not linearly associated with baseline SOFA score increase. High SOFA (≥4) was however associated with higher mean sBTLA than SOFA ≤3. sBTLA was not associated with bacterial etiology. We show that sustained elevation of sBTLA one week after hospital admission is associated with late mortality in patients with BSI and sepsis, and that sBTLA concentration is associated with CRP and decreased lymphocyte count. This suggests that sBTLA might be an indicator of sustained immune-dysregulation, and a prognostic tool in sepsis.

Soluble B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator Correlates to Disease Severity in Sepsis and High Levels Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Mortality

Introduction and aims

B- and T-lymphocyte Attenuator (BTLA), Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and Programmed Death 1 (PD-1) are co-inhibitory receptors that regulate T cell activation. In the present study of ICU-treated patients we measured plasma concentrations of their soluble isoforms, with the aim to evaluate their potential as sepsis biomarkers and utility as prognostic indicators.

Methods

101 patients with sepsis, 28 patients with non-infectious critical illness (ICU controls) and 31 blood donors (healthy controls, HC) were included in the study. Plasma concentrations of soluble BTLA (sBTLA), CTLA-4 (sCTLA-4) and PD-1 (sPD-1) were measured with ELISA in serial blood samples. Comparisons were made with Mann-Whitney U test and correlations were assessed with Spearman’s Rank correlation test. Cox proportional hazard models, with sBTLA and sPD-1 as fixed and sBTLA as time-varying covariates, were used to determine association with 28-day mortality.

Results

sBTLA levels were significantly higher in the sepsis cohort (median 14 ng/mL, IQR 8–29) compared to ICU controls (9 ng/mL, IQR 5–26, p = 0.048) and HC (2.9 ng/mL, IQR 0.9–9.1, p<0.01), and correlated to SOFA score. sBTLA levels were higher in 28 day sepsis non-survivors than in survivors (baseline median 28 ng/mL, IQR 13–41 vs 13 ng/mL, IQR 8–23, p = 0.04). After adjustment for age and comorbidities, the relative risk of 28 day mortality was nearly 5-fold higher in sepsis patients with a baseline sBTLA > 21 ng/mL, compared to those with a level below this threshold. sBTLA was even more associated with mortality in the time-varying analysis. sPD-1 levels were lower in the sepsis cohort compared to HC but not compared to ICU controls and were not associated with mortality. sCTLA-4 was detectable in only one subject.

Conclusion

Plasma concentrations of soluble BTLA were increased early in sepsis/septic shock and correlated to severity of disease. A baseline concentration >21ng/mL was associated with a poor prognosis.