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.
History
Publication title
Blood
Volume
109
Issue
11
Pagination
4882-4889
ISSN
0006-4971
Department/School
Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Publisher
Amer Soc Hematology
Place of publication
1900 M Street. Nw Suite 200, Washington, USA, Dc, 20036