Cutting edge: Expression of functional CD137 receptor by dendritic cells

J Immunol. 2002 May 1;168(9):4262-7. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.168.9.4262.

Abstract

Interaction between dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells is a prerequisite for the initiation of a T cell response. The molecular nature of this interaction remains to be fully characterized. We report in this work that freshly isolated mouse splenic DCs and bone marrow-derived DCs express CD137 on the cell surface and in soluble form. Triggering CD137 increased the secretion of IL-6 and IL-12 from DCs. More importantly, infusion of an agonistic mAb to CD137 into naive mice enhanced the ability of DCs to stimulate T cell proliferation in response to both alloantigens and a nominal Ag in vitro. This enhancement of DC function is not mediated through activation of T cells, because the effect was also observed in RAG-1 knockout mice that lack T cells. Our findings implicate CD137 as an important receptor involved in the modulation of DC function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antigens, CD
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / immunology
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / physiology*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / immunology
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / physiology*
  • Spleen / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Cytokines
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tnfrsf9 protein, mouse
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9