Butyrophilin proteins are considered to be members of the B7 family of costimulatory receptors that modulate T cell responses to antigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex and cognate αα T cell receptor (TCR) engagement. Some butyrophilins mediate interactions between antigen-presenting cells and conventional αα T cells (as immune checkpoints), and others regulate activity of specific γδ T cell subsets in the maintenance of barrier integrity at mucosal surfaces for example. Rhodes et al. (2016) [3] review the role of butyrophilins in the regulation of immunity. The role of butyrophilins in regulating human γδ T lymphocyte activation and immunosurveillance is reviewed by Kabelitz et al. (2017) [1].
Association of altered expression of butyrophilin and butyrophilin-like genes with intestinal inflammation and colon cancer is reported by Lebrero-Fernández et al. (2016) [2].

1. Kabelitz D, Lettau M, Janssen O. (2017) Immunosurveillance by human γδ T lymphocytes: the emerging role of butyrophilins. F1000Res, 6. [PMID:28649364]

2. Lebrero-Fernández C, Wenzel UA, Akeus P, Wang Y, Strid H, Simrén M, Gustavsson B, Börjesson LG, Cardell SL, Öhman L et al.. (2016) Altered expression of Butyrophilin (BTN) and BTN-like (BTNL) genes in intestinal inflammation and colon cancer. Immun Inflamm Dis, 4 (2): 191-200. [PMID:27957327]

3. Rhodes DA, Reith W, Trowsdale J. (2016) Regulation of Immunity by Butyrophilins. Annu Rev Immunol, 34: 151-72. [PMID:26772212]