The JC071 monoclonal antibody reacts with canine PD-L1 (programmed death ligand 1) also known as B7-H1 or CD274. PD-L1 is a 40 kDa type I transmembrane protein that belongs to the B7 family of the Ig superfamily. PD-L1 is expressed on T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, NK cells, dendritic cells, as well as IFNγ stimulated monocytes, epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. PD-L1 binds to its receptor, PD-1, found on CD4 and CD8 thymocytes as well as activated T and B lymphocytes and myeloid cells. Engagement of PD-L1 with PD-1 leads to inhibition of TCR-mediated T cell proliferation and cytokine production. PD-L1 is thought to play an important role in tumor immune evasion. Induced PD-L1 expression is common in many tumors and results in increased resistance of tumor cells to CD8 T cell mediated lysis. The JC071 antibody can detect PD-L1 on canine tissues by flow cytometry and Western blot. 

in vitro PD-L1 blockade, Functional assays, Western Blot, Flow Cytometry

Choi JW, Withers SS, Chang H, Spanier JA, De La Trinidad VL, Panesar H, Fife BT, Sciammas R, Sparger EE, Moore PF, Kent MS, Rebhun RB, McSorley SJ. (2020). "Development of canine PD-1/PD-L1 specific monoclonal antibodies and amplification of canine T cell function" PLoS One 15(7):e0235518. PubMed

Interruption of the programmed death 1 (PD-1) / programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway is an established and effective therapeutic strategy in human oncology and holds promise for veterinary oncology. We report the generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for canine PD-1 and PD-L1. Antibodies were initially assessed for their capacity to block the binding of recombinant canine PD-1 to recombinant canine PD-L1 and then ranked based on efficiency of binding as judged by flow cytometry. Selected antibodies were capable of detecting PD-1 and PD-L1 on canine tissues by flow cytometry and Western blot. Anti-PD-L1 worked for immunocytochemistry and anti-PD-1 worked for immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded canine tissues, suggesting the usage of this antibody with archived tissues. Additionally, anti-PD-L1 (JC071) revealed significantly increased PD-L1 expression on canine monocytes after stimulation with peptidoglycan or lipopolysaccharide. Together, these antibodies display specificity for the natural canine ligand using a variety of potential diagnostic applications. Importantly, multiple PD-L1-specific antibodies amplified IFN-γ production in a canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) concanavlin A (Con A) stimulation assay, demonstrating functional activity.