Cross-talk between 4-1BB and TLR1-TLR2 signaling in CD8+ T cells regulates TLR2s costimulatory effects

The activation of TLR-MyD88 (Toll like receptor- Myeloid differentiation factor 88) signaling within T cells functions as a potent costimulatory signal that boosts antitumor and antiviral responses. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the costimulatory processes are poorly understood. We compared microarray gene analysis data between TLR1-TLR2 stimulated and unstimulated T cell receptor transgenic pmel and MyD88-/-pmel CD8+ T cells and identified changes in the expression levels of several TNF family members. In particular, TLR-stimulation increased 4-1BB levels in pmel but not in MyD88-/-pmel T cells. A link between 4-1BB and TLR1-TLR2 signaling in CD8+ T cells was highlighted by in fact that 4-1BB-/- T cells exhibited suboptimal responses to TLR1-TLR2 agonist, but responded normally to CD28 or OX40 costimulation. Moreover, blocking 4-1BB signaling with antibodies also hindered the costimulatory effects of the TLR1-TLR2 agonist. The elevated levels of 4-1BB transcripts in TLR1-TLR2stimulated cells were not due to increased mRNA stability nor increased histone activation but instead were associated with increased binding of p65 and c-Jun to two distinct 4-1BB promoter sites. Combining TLR1-TLR2 ligand with an agonistic anti-4-1BB antibody enhanced the antitumor activity in mice with established melanoma tumors. These studies reveal that the costimulatory effects of TLR1-TLR2 signaling in CD8+ T cells are in part mediated by 4-1BB and are important for mounting an effective antitumor immune response.

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Joseph AM, Srivastava R, Zabaleta J, Davila E