CD137 ligand prevents the development of T-helper type 2 cell-mediated allergic asthma by interferon-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells.
Clin Exp Allergy 2007;
37:1374-85. [PMID:
17845419 DOI:
10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02785.x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Allergic asthma is a T-helper type 2 (Th2) cell-mediated chronic disease that is characterized by airway hyperreactivity (AHR) and chronic eosinophilic airway inflammation. Several studies suggest co-stimulatory molecules like CD137 as potential targets for therapeutic interventions in allergic airway disease. Recently, we could show in a murine asthma model that administration of an agonistic antibody against the receptor of the co-stimulatory molecule CD137 prevented and even reversed an already-established asthma phenotype.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of stimulation of the CD137 ligand by a monoclonal antibody (CD137L mAb).
METHODS
To induce an asthma-like phenotype, BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA), followed by an intrapulmonary allergen challenge. Anti-CD137L or control mAb were applied 1 day before OVA immunization or after the asthma phenotype was already established.
RESULTS
Stimulation of the CD137L instead of the receptor by CD137L mAb prevents the development of an asthma-like phenotype but does not reverse established disease. While the receptor-mediated effect is partly mediated by anergy of CD4(+) T cells and partly by induction of IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells, the effect of the CD137L mAb is completely dependent on IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells: blockade of IFN-gamma and depletion of CD8(+) T cells fully abrogated the observed protective effect. In vitro experiments showed that the anti-CD137L mAb ligates directly to CD8(+) T cells and induces the generation of IFN-gamma by this cell population.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrate that anti-CD137L mAb prevents disease development via IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells but is inferior to stimulation of the receptor that reverses established disease by a mechanism including CD4(+) T cell anergy.
Collapse