CD137 signaling interferes with activation and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in induced tolerance to experimental autoimmune thyroiditis

Cell Immunol. 2003 Nov;226(1):20-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2003.11.002.

Abstract

Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), a model for Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is a T cell-mediated disease inducible with mouse thyroglobulin (mTg). Pretreatment with mTg, however, can induce CD4+ T cell-mediated tolerance to EAT. We demonstrate that CD4+CD25+ regulatory cells are critical for the tolerance induction, as in vivo depletion of CD25+ cells abrogated established tolerance, and CD4+CD25+ cells from tolerized mice suppressed mTg-responsive cells in vitro. Importantly, administration of an agonistic CD137 monoclonal antibody (mAb) inhibited tolerance development, and the mediation of established tolerance. CD137 mAb also inhibited the suppression of mTg-responsive cells by CD4+CD25+ cells in vitro. Signaling through CD137 likely resulted in enhancement of the responding inflammatory T cells, as anti-CD137 did not enable CD4+CD25+ T cells to proliferate in response to mTg in vitro.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antigens, CD
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Female
  • Immune Tolerance / physiology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / immunology*
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / immunology
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / immunology
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Thyroglobulin / immunology
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tnfrsf9 protein, mouse
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9
  • Thyroglobulin