Description
Butyrophilin-like 2 (BTNL2) is a butyrophilin family member with homology to the B7 costimulatory molecules, polymorphisms of which have been recently associated through genetic analysis; to sporadic inclusion body myositis and sarcoidosis. BTNL2 mRNA is highly expressed in lymphoid tissues as well as in intestine. BTNL2-Ig fusion protein was shown to recognize a putative receptor whose expression on B and T cells was significantly enhanced after activation. It inhibited T cell proliferation and TCR activation of NFAT, NF-kappaB and AP-1 signaling pathways. BTNL2 is the first member of the butyrophilin family that regulates T cell activation, which has implications in immune diseases and immunotherapy