CD137 agonists in mice suppress germinal center responses by increasing the immunosuppressive activity of follicular regulatory T-cells.

Anti-CD137 monoclonal antibodies suppress germinal center responses in mice by increasing the immunosuppressive activity of follicular regulatory T-cells.

• Why it matters: Understanding how CD137 agonists inhibit B-cell responses is crucial for developing effective immunotherapies and managing immune-related side effects. This knowledge addresses a gap in the mechanisms behind CD137-mediated immune regulation.
• What they did: The study used transcriptomic profiling, immune phenotyping, and functional assays to analyze the effects of anti-CD137 antibodies on cell types involved in germinal center reactions in vaccinated mice, focusing on regulatory T-cells.
• The result: Anti-CD137 treatment enhances the number and suppressive function of regulatory and follicular regulatory T-cells, leading to germinal center disruption and suppression of humoral immunity, informing potential combination therapies.