#$%^&*AU2016202172A120160428.pdf#####ABSTRACT The present invention relates to a novel regulatory T cell protein. The protein, designated PD-L3 or VISTA resembles members of the PD-Li family, identified a novel and structurally5 distinct, Ig-superfamily inhibitory ligand, whose extracellular domain bears homology to the B7 family ligand PD-Li. This molecule is designated as PD-L3 or VISTA or V-domain Immunoglobulin Suppressor of T cell Activation (VISTA). Expression of VISTA is primarily within the hematopoietic compartment and is highly regulated on myeloid APCs and T cells. Therapeutic intervention of the VISTA inhibitory pathway represents a novel approach to a 10 modulate T cell-mediated immunity for the treatment of a wide variety of cancers, e.g., ovarian, bladder cancer and melanomas. Also, VISTA proteins, especially multimeric VISTA proteins and antibodies may be used to suppress T cell immunity in autoimmune disease, allergy, infection and inflammatory conditions, e.g. multiple sclerosis and arthritic conditions such as RA.
