Small Molecule-Based Blockade of CD28 Suppresses T Cell Costimulation Across Cellular and Mucosal Co-culture Models.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: CD28 is a pivotal costimulatory receptor that governs T cell activation through interaction with B7 ligands (CD80/CD86). While antibody-based inhibitors of CD28 signaling have advanced clinically, the development of small molecule modulators remains limited due to the receptor's shallow, flexible surface. We sought to discover small-molecule modulators with favorable pharmacokinetic properties capable of disrupting CD28-B7 interactions in translational models of T cell activation.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Structure-based virtual screening was conducted using pharmacophore filtering and consensus docking against the human CD28 ectodomain. Hit compounds were validated using temperature-related intensity change (TRIC) and microscale thermophoresis (MST). Functional antagonism was assessed through ELISA, NanoBit luciferase complementation, and a CD28 Blockade Bioassay. In vitro ADME and safety pharmacology profiling were performed, and immunosuppressive activity was evaluated in tumor-PBMC and mucosal-PBMC co-culture assays.

KEY

RESULTS

Lead compound 22VS bound CD28 in biophysical screening, targeting a lipophilic canyon anchored by K24, Q25, and P27. 22VS inhibited CD28-CD80/CD86 interactions in ELISA and cell-based assays with submicromolar potency. 22VS robustly suppressed T cell activation markers in both tumor- PBMC and human mucosal epithelial-PBMC co-culture models, phenocopying the anti-CD28 biologic FR104. It showed no cytotoxicity up to 300 µM and exhibited high solubility, low clearance, strong membrane permeability, and minimal off-target effects in pharmacokinetic screens.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: This study identifies a novel druggable site on CD28 and validates 22VS as a selective, non-toxic small molecule inhibitor with translational potential for immune modulation in autoimmunity, transplantation, and cancer.

BULLET POINT SUMMARY: What is already known: CD28 is a key T cell costimulatory receptor essential for immune activation.Small-molecule inhibitors of CD28 are largely unexplored compared to biologics.What this study adds: Identifies a novel druggable pocket on CD28 via structure-based virtual screening.Discovers 22VS, a selective small molecule CD28 inhibitor with cellular activity.Demonstrates that 22VS suppresses T cell activation in tumor-PBMC and mucosal-PBMC co- culture assays, phenocopying a benchmark biologic (FR104).Establishes 22VS as a drug-like compound with favorable in vitro pharmacokinetic properties, including metabolic stability, permeability, and low off-target toxicity.Clinical significance: Highlights the potential of 22VS as a lead for immunomodulatory therapeutic development.Supports small-molecule targeting of CD28-B7 interactions in T cell-driven diseases.