Our group studies the cytokine receptor CD137 and its ligand, which potently regulate protective immune responses, but are also involved in immune-mediated pathologies. We investigate and utilize the activities of the CD137 receptor / ligand system for the following aims:

Projects

Tumorimmunology:

Under the influence of certain viruses, CD137 can be expressed by malignant cells, and this ectopic CD137 expression allows tumour cells to initiate a CD137-based negative feed-back loop that quenches immune activity. While this inhibitory mechanism helps to fine-tune immune activity under physiological conditions, its usurpation allows the tumor to escape immune surveillance. We are studying this mechanism in detail, and we are developing novel cancer treatments targeting CD137 on cancer cells.

Enhancing anti-tumor immune responses:

CD137L signalling induces differentiation of monocytes to powerful dendritic cells (DC), which coordinate immune responses. These CD137L-DC are more immunostimulatory than conventional DC. We are currently testing CD137L-DC for immunotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a phase I clinical trial.

Investigating the role of CD137 in autoimmune disease

We discovered that CD137 – CD137 ligand interaction contributes to Multiple Sclerosis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). We will more closely analyse the pathogenic mechanisms, and strive to develop molecular and/or cellular therapies that modulate CD137 and CD137 ligand activity in order to ameliorate these autoimmune diseases.