B7-H4

B7-H4 (also known as B7-S1, B7x and VCTN1), a member of the CD28/B7 family, is a transmembrane protein and a T-cell immune co-inhibitory molecule. B7-H4 negatively regulates T cell immune response and promotes immune escape by inhibiting the proliferation, cytokine secretion, and cell cycle of T cells. B7-H4 is limited expressed in normal peripheral tissues, whereas it is abnormally expressed in inflammation, autoimmune diseases and tumors, such as breast carcinomas. The amino acid sequence of human B7-H4 is highly conserved with approximately 87% amino acid identity to mouse.