Involvement of 4-1BB (CD137)-4-1BBligand interaction in the modulation of CD4+ T cell-mediated inflammatory colitis

4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL) expressed on antigen-presenting cells interacts with 4-1BB on activated T cells (especially CD8(+) cells) and co-stimulates the latter to secrete cytokines and to proliferate. The role of 4-1BB-4-1BBL interaction was studied here in a model of colitis based on naive CD4(+) T cell transfer to SCID mice, a disease model in which CD8 cells do not take part. We found that CD4(+) T cells from 4-1BB-deficient mice, after transfer in SCID mice, proliferated more rapidly compared to wild-type CD4(+) T cells. Mice reconstituted with naive CD4(+) T cells from 4-1BB-deficient mice developed colitis, however, with a mixed Th1/Th2 response, in contrast to the Th1-type response in mice reconstituted with wild-type naive CD4(+) T cells. Importantly, this altered cytokine response did not temper colitis severity. Although it has been reported previously that 4-1BB co-stimulation may contribute to regulatory T cell functioning, we found that CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells from 4-1BB-deficient mice were perfectly able to prevent naive CD4(+) T cell-induced colitis. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that 4-1BB-4-1BBL interaction modulates the effector CD4(+) T cell-driven immune response and cytokine production in experimental colitis without affecting regulatory T cell function.