title: OX-40: life beyond the effector T cell stage.
abstract: The OX-40 receptor (OX-40R) is a transmembrane protein found on the surface of activated CD4(+) T cells. When engaged by an agonist such as anti-OX-40 antibody or the OX-40 ligand (OX-40L) during antigen presentation to T cell lines, the OX-40R generates a costimulatory signal that is as potent as CD28 costimulation. Engagement of OX-40R enhances effector and memory-effector T cell function by up-regulating IL-2 production and increasing the life-span of effector T cells. We hypothesize that the signal generated by the OX-40R inhibits activation-induced T cell death (AICD) and thereby increases the number of cells differentiating from the effector to memory T cell stage. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) OX-40R+ T cells are found only within the inflammatory site [central nervous system (CNS)]. Sorting OX-40R+ T cells from the CNS of animals with EAE revealed that they are autoantigen-specific T cells. Therefore, OX-40R-specific therapies were devised to eliminate or inhibit autoreactive T cells, while sparing the remainder of the T cell repertoire. In contrast, in vivo costimulation through the OX-40R in animals with cancer generated enhanced tumor-specific immunity leading to improved tumor-free survival. Thus, manipulation of the OX-40R during inflammatory responses can alter effector CD4(+) T cell function by enhancing or limiting T cell activation and survival.
authors.affiliation: Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center, 4805 NE Glisan, Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, OR, 97213, USA.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Vella
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Croft
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D053278:OX40 Ligand; D053262:Receptors, OX40; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D053278:OX40 Ligand; D053262:Receptors, OX40; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C505716:TNFRSF4 protein, human; C089251:TNFSF4 protein, human; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7