Application note: Screening for inhibitors of PD-1 and PD-L1 binding with AlphaLISA technology

In this application note, PerkinElmer demonstrate the utility of an AlphaLISA assay for screening biotherapeutic antibodies and compounds that block binding of human PD-1 and PD-L1.

AlphaLISA technology provides a simple, straightforward method for detecting PD-1/PD-L1 binding in a simple, homogeneous, no-wash format. Alpha assays can easily be automated and miniaturised to increase assay throughput. In this application note, we demonstrate the utility of an AlphaLISA assay for screening biotherapeutic antibodies and compounds that block binding of human PD-1 and PD-L1.

AN important requirement of a healthy immune system is its ability to distinguish itself from foreign invaders. Under normal physiological conditions, immune checkpoints are necessary to prevent autoimmunity, protecting tissues from damage when the immune system is responding to pathogenic infection. Many tumour cells, which would normally be recognised by T cells and thereby targeted for destruction, have developed ways to evade the host immune system by taking advantage of these pathways.

The programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint pathway is a negative regulator of T-cell immune function. When PD-1 is bound to programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), T cell response is suppressed. Inhibitors that block PD-1/ PD-L1 complex formation result in increased activation of T-cells and immune system functions, allowing the body’s immune system to identify and attack tumour cells.