Activation-induced CD137 is a fast assay for identification and multi-parameter flow cytometric analysis of alloreactive T cells

作者：Litjens N H R^*; de Wit E A; Baan C C; Betjes M G H

来源：Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 2013, 174(1): 179-191.

DOI：10.1111/cei.12152

• alloreactivity
• CD 137
• CD4(+)
• T cells
• CD8(+)
• T cells
• multi-parameter analysis

Detection and isolation of viable alloreactive T cells at the single-cell level requires a cell surface marker induced specifically upon T cell receptor activation. In this study, a member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-family, CD137 (4-1BB) was investigated for its potential to identify the total pool of circulating alloreactive T cells. Optimal conditions for sensitive and specific detection of allogeneic-induced CD137 expression on circulating T cells were established. Thereafter, CD137(+) alloreactive T cells were phenotypically and functionally characterized by multi-parameter flow cytometry. Alloantigen-induced CD137 expression identified both alloreactive CD8(+) T cells (mean +/- standard error of the mean: 0.21 +/- 0.07%) and alloreactive CD4(+) T cells (0.21 +/- 0.05%). CD137(+) alloreactive T cells were detected in different T cell subsets, including naive T cells, but were found preferentially in CD28(+) T cells and not in the terminally differentiated T cell subset. Upon allogeneic (re-)stimulation, the cytokine-producing as well as proliferative capacity of T cells resided mainly within the CD137-expressing fraction. About 10% of the CD137(+) alloreactive T cells produced any combination of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2 and TNF-alpha. Polyfunctional alloreactive T cells, defined by multiple cytokine expression, were observed infrequently. In conclusion, activation-induced CD137 expression is a fast assay allowing for detection and functional analysis of the total alloreactive T cell compartment at the single-cell level by multi-parameter flow cytometry.

• 出版日期2013-10