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Cutting edge: Expression of functional CD137 receptor by dendritic cells
Ryan A Wilcox1, Andrei I Chapoval, Kevin S Gorski
1Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|April 24, 2002
Summary
Researchers found that triggering CD137 on dendritic cells (DCs) enhances their ability to stimulate T cell responses. This discovery highlights CD137
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Dendritic cell (DC) and T cell interactions are crucial for initiating adaptive immune responses.
- The precise molecular mechanisms governing DC-T cell communication require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CD137 in dendritic cell function and T cell activation.
- To characterize the expression and functional impact of CD137 on DCs.
Main Methods:
- Detection of CD137 expression on splenic and bone marrow-derived DCs.
- Stimulation of DCs with an agonistic anti-CD137 antibody (mAb).
- Assessment of cytokine secretion (IL-6, IL-12) and T cell proliferation assays in wild-type and RAG-1 knockout mice.
Main Results:
- Dendritic cells express both cell-surface and soluble forms of CD137.
- CD137 triggering significantly increased IL-6 and IL-12 secretion from DCs.
- Administration of anti-CD137 mAb enhanced DC-mediated T cell proliferation against alloantigens and nominal antigens, independent of T cell activation.
Conclusions:
- CD137 is expressed by dendritic cells and modulates their function.
- CD137 signaling enhances the antigen-presenting capacity of DCs.
- CD137 represents a novel target for modulating DC-driven immune responses.