Human HVEM/TNFRSF14 Antibody

Herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), also referred to as TR2 (TNF receptor-like molecule) and ATAR (another TRAF-associated receptor), is a type I membrane protein belonging to the TNF/NGF receptor superfamily. In the TNF superfamily nomenclature, HVEM is referred to as TNFRSF14. Human HVEM cDNA encodes a 283 amino acid (aa) residue protein with a probable 36 aa residue signal peptide, a 166 aa residue extracellular domain, a 23 aa residue transmembrane region and a 58 aa residue cytoplasmic region. The extracellular domain of HVEM contains several cysteine-rich repeats characteristic of TNF receptor superfamily members. The short cytoplasmic region lacks a death domain present in some TNF receptor family members, but contains a TRAF (TNF receptor-associated factor) interaction domain. HVEM expression has been detected in peripheral blood T cells, B cells, monocytes and in various tissues enriched in lymphoid cells. The extracellular domain of HVEM has been shown to interact directly with the herpes simplex virus envelope glycoprotein D. Two TNF superfamily ligands, including the secreted TNF‑ beta (lymphotoxin  alpha) and the membrane protein LIGHT (lymphotoxins, exhibits inducible expression, and competes with HSV glycoprotein D for HVEM, a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes), have been shown to be the cellular ligands for HVEM. Besides HVEM, LIGHT can also interact with LT betaR, the receptor for lymphotoxin alpha beta heterotrimer. The role of the HVEM-LIGHT/LT beta receptor-ligand pair in immune function and herpesvirus pathobiology remains to be elucidated.