DatasheetSDS

CD137, also known as TNFRSF9 or 4-1BB, is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, represents a promising target for enhancing antitumor immune responses. It is an inducible costimulatory molecule expressed mainly on activated T cells. The functions of CD137 in T lymphocytes include regulating activation, proliferation and apoptosis. The ligand for CD137, known as 4-1BBL, is expressed on activated macrophages, mature B cells, hematopoietic stem cells, and myeloid progenitor cells. CD137 helps regulate the activation of many immune cells, including CD4 (+) T cells, CD8 (+) T cells, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. CD137 signaling leads to maintaining the survival of activated T cells and CD8+ memory T cells, and clonal expansion of T cells, but also to suppressing myelopoiesis and Dendritic cell development. Triggered CD137 induces a cytokine release profile regulating peripheral monocytes survival. Recent studies indicate that the antitumor efficacy of therapeutic tumor-targeting antibodies can be augmented by the addition of agonistic antibodies targeting CD137. As ligation of CD137 provides a costimulatory signal in multiple immune cell subsets, CD137 antibody has potential to improve cancer treatment, and has been implicated in breast cancer, melanoma and lymphoma. Therefore, CD137 agonists represent a promising immunotherapeutic approach to treating cancers.