CD137 stimulation delivers an antigen-independent growth signal for T lymphocytes with memory phenotype.
CD137 has long been recognized as a costimulatory receptor for growth and functional maturation of recently activated T cells in the presence of T-cell receptor signal. In this report, we present the fact that, in the absence of MHC and antigen, triggering of CD137 by an agonist monoclonal antibody induces vigorous growth of both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells with memory phenotype, whereas it does not affect naive T cells. Moreover, T cells with memory phenotype accumulate progressively in transgenic mice overexpressing CD137 ligand. CD137-mediated proliferation of memory T cells is directly through CD137 on T cells and does not require IL-15 and IFN-gamma. Our results define a new role of CD137 signal in the growth of memory T cells.
Zhu
Yuwen
Y
Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Mediicne, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
Zhu
Gefeng
G
Luo
Liqun
L
Flies
Andrew S
AS
Chen
Lieping
L
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002455:Cell Division; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D053261:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology*
D019409:Interleukin-15; D008024:Ligands; D053261:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9; D007371:Interferon-gamma