Ligand for the T-cell-specific cell surface receptor ICOS. Acts as a costimulatory signal for T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion; induces also B-cell proliferation and differentiation into plasma cells. Could play an important role in mediating local tissue responses to inflammatory conditions, as well as in modulating the secondary immune response by co-stimulating memory T-cell function (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane
Isoform 1 is widely expressed (brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, placenta, skeletal muscle, bone marrow, colon, ovary, prostate, testis, lymph nodes, leukocytes, spleen, thymus and tonsil), while isoform 2 is detected only in lymph nodes, leukocytes and spleen. Expressed on activated monocytes and dendritic cells.