CD137 Promotes Proliferation and Survival of Human B Cells

• Published in: The Journal of immunology (1950) Vol. 184; no. 2; pp. 787 - 795
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xiaoyu, Voskens, Caroline J, Sallin, Michelle, Maniar, Amudhan, Montes, Carolina L, Zhang, Yue, Lin, Wei, Li, Guoyan, Burch, Erin, Tan, Ming, Hertzano, Ronna, Chapoval, Andrei I, Tamada, Koji, Gastman, Brian R, Schulze, Dan H, Strome, Scott E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Am Assoc Immnol 15.01.2010
• Subjects: Antigens - immunology; B-Lymphocytes - cytology; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; B-Lymphocytes - secretion; Blood Cells; CD40 Antigens; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Humans; Interleukins; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphotoxin-alpha - secretion; Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9 - agonists; Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9 - antagonists & inhibitors; Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9 - immunology; Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9 - physiology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - secretion
• ISSN: 0022-1767; 1550-6606
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0901619

CD137 (4-1BB)-mediated costimulation plays an important role in directing the fate of Ag-stimulated T cells and NK cells, yet the role of CD137 in mediating B cell function is unknown. We found that CD137 is expressed in vitro on anti-Ig-stimulated peripheral blood B cells and in vivo on tonsillar B cells with an activated phenotype. In vitro CD137 expression is enhanced by CD40 stimulation and IFN-gamma and is inhibited by IL-4, -10, and -21. The expression of CD137 on activated human B cells is functionally relevant because engagement with its ligand at the time of activation stimulates B cell proliferation, enhances B cell survival, and induces secretion of TNF-alpha and -beta. Our study suggests that CD137 costimulation may play a role in defining the fate of Ag-stimulated human B cells.