CD137 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family that is expressed on activated T cells. This molecule provides a co-stimulatory signal that enhances the survival, and differentiation of cells, and has a crucial role in the development of CD8 cytotoxic T cells and anti-tumor immunity. Here we report that CD137 expression is also induced on normal or malignant human B cells by CD40 ligation by its ligand CD154. This CD137 induction was more prominent in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells than in other types of B cells. CD137 stimulation on B cells by its ligand induced the nuclear translocation of p52 (a non-canonical NF-κB factor). In agreement with this finding, expression of the survival factor BCL-XL was upregulated. Consequently, the CD137 signal augmented the survival of CD154-stimulated CLL B cells in vitro. This unexpected induction of CD137 on B cells by CD40 signal may influence the clinical course of CLL. © 2013 Nakaima et al.
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Nakaima, Y., Watanabe, K., Koyama, T., Miura, O., & Fukuda, T. (2013). CD137 Is Induced by the CD40 Signal on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia B Cells and Transduces the Survival Signal via NF-κB Activation. PLoS ONE, 8(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0064425