Why Is PD-1 An Important Part Of The Immune System
An important part of the immune system is its ability to differentiate between normal cells in the body and those that appear foreign. This allows the immune system to attack the foreign cells while leaving the healthy cells alone. In order to determine the mutated cells, the immune system uses checkpoints, which are molecules on certain immune cells that must be activated to trigger an immune response.
PD-1 is a checkpoint protein on immune cells called T-cells. Normally, PD-1 acts as a an off switch that helps keep the T-cells from attacking other cells in the body. It does this by attaching to PD-L1, a protein located on both normal and cancer cells. When PD-1 binds to PD-L1, the protein signals the T-cell to disregard the discrepancy,
PD-1 is a checkpoint protein on immune cells called T-cells. Normally, PD-1 acts as a an off switch that helps keep the T-cells from attacking other cells in the body. It does this by attaching to PD-L1, a protein located on both normal and cancer cells. When PD-1 binds to PD-L1, the protein signals the T-cell to disregard the discrepancy,