%0 Journal Article %J Nat Immunol %D 2007 %T The function of programmed cell death 1 and its ligands in regulating autoimmunity and infection. %A Sharpe, Arlene H %A Wherry, E John %A Ahmed, Rafi %A Freeman, Gordon J %K Animals %K Antigens, CD %K Antigens, CD274 %K Autoimmunity %K Communicable Diseases %K Humans %K Immune Tolerance %K Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins %K Lymphocyte Activation %K Models, Immunological %K Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand 2 Protein %X The programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) surface receptor binds to two ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2. Studies have shown that PD-1-PD-L interactions control the induction and maintenance of peripheral T cell tolerance and indicate a previously unknown function for PD-L1 on nonhematopoietic cells in protecting tissues from autoimmune attack. PD-1 and its ligands have also been exploited by a variety of microorganisms to attenuate antimicrobial immunity and facilitate chronic infection. Here we examine the functions of PD-1 and its ligands in regulating antimicrobial and self-reactive T cell responses and discuss the therapeutic potential of manipulating this pathway. %B Nat Immunol %V 8 %P 239-45 %8 2007 Mar %G eng %N 3 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17304234?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1038/ni1443