CD27

CD27 (TNFRSF7) is a constitutive co-stimulatory TNF receptor superfamily member expressed on naive and memory T cells, B-cell subsets and NK cells, upregulated upon activation. CD27 is a disulfide-linked homodimeric type I transmembrane glycoprotein whose cytoplasmic tail binds TRAF2/TRAF5, activating canonical NF-κB, JNK and p38 pathways downstream of its ligand CD70 (CD27L, TNFSF7). CD27 co-stimulation complements CD28 by sustaining T-cell proliferation, survival and differentiation, promoting memory precursor formation and Th1 commitment, enhancing B-cell germinal center responses and immunoglobulin production, and amplifying NK-cell cytotoxicity. CD27-CD70 interaction is critical for antiviral CD8+ T-cell responses, particularly for resolving chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. Aberrant CD70 expression on tumor and stromal cells drives T-cell exhaustion through chronic CD27 engagement and supports Hodgkin lymphoma and renal carcinoma immune escape, while CD27 agonism (varlilumab) and CD70-targeting agents (CAR-T, antibody-drug conjugates) are advancing in cancer immunotherapy.