Subcellular localization of PD-L1 and cell-cycle-dependent expression of nuclear PD-L1 variants: implications for head and neck cancer cell functions and therapeutic efficacy.

ABSTRACT: The programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1)/programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) axis is primarily associated with immunosuppression in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). However, mounting evidence is supporting the thesis that PD-L1 not only functions as a ligand but mediates additional cellular functions in tumor cells. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that PD-L1 is not exclusively localized at the cellular membrane. Subcellular fractionation revealed the presence of PD-L1 in various cellular compartments of six well-characterized head and neck cancer (HNC) cell lines, including the nucleus. Via Western blotting, we detected PD-L1 in its well-known glycosylated/deglycosylated state at 40-55 kDa. In addition, we detected previously unknown PD-L1 variants with a molecular weight at appro

SUBMITTER: Schulz D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10850815 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature