4-1BB Ligand-Mediated Imbalance of Helper 17 T Cells and Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Allergic Asthma

Immune checkpoint molecules in prevention and development of asthma

“…Mice deficient in CD137 have also been shown to develop eosinophilic airway inflammation associated with Th2 cytokine production and allergen-specific serum IgE levels ( 92 ). In accordance with these observations, both soluble and membrane-bound CD137L levels in monocytes are reduced in patients with allergic asthma ( 41 ). Regarding the contribution of CD137 to the development of asthma, more experimental studies are required on the application of CD137 directed immunotherapies in the context of allergic diseases such as asthma.…”

“…However, it is not clear whether this contribution involves activation of CD4+ T cells or other steps of inflammatory process ( 81 ). Moreover, these interactions have been suggested to be involved in the suppression of antigen-specific helper T cells and B cell-dependent humoral immune responses ( 83 ), and play an essential role in allergic asthma by regulating the Th17/Treg balance ( 41 ). It has been shown that administration of anti-CD137 in a mouse model of asthma not only prevented the development of asthma phenotype, but also completely reversed the established disease.…”