abstract |
Compositions and methods for enhancing and/or prolonging the activation of T cells (i.e., increasing antigen- specific proliferation of T cells, enhancing cytokine production by T cells, stimulating differentiation ad effector functions of T cells and/or promoting T cell survival) or overcoming T cell exhaustion and/or anergy are provided. Suitable compositions include PD-I receptor antagonists that bind to and block the endogenous PD-I receptor without triggering inhibitory signals from PD-I, or bind to and block PD-I receptor ligands and preventing them from interacting with PD-I receptors. Methods for using the PD-I receptor antagonists to enhance immune responses in subjects in need thereof are provided. |