Anti–4-1bb Monoclonal Antibodies Abrogate T Cell–Dependent Humoral Immune Responses in Vivo through the Induction of Helper T Cell Anergy

The 4-1BB receptor (CDw137), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, has been shown to costimulate the activation of T cells. Here we show that anti–mouse 4-1BB monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) inhibit thymus-dependent antibody production by B cells. Injection of anti–4-1BB mAbs into mice being immunized with cellular or soluble protein antigens induced long-term anergy of antigen-specific T cells. The immune response to the type II T cell–independent antigen trinintrophenol-conjugated Ficoll, however, was not suppressed. Inhibition of humoral immunity occurred only when anti–4-1BB mAb was given within 1 wk after immunization. Anti–4-1BB inhibition was observed in mice lacking functional CD8⁺ T cells, indicating that CD8⁺ T cells were not required for the induction of anergy. Analysis of the requirements for the anti–4-1BB–mediated inhibition of humoral immunity revealed that suppression could not be adoptively transferred with T cells from anti–4-1BB–treated mice. Transfer of BALB/c splenic T cells from sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-immunized and anti–4-1BB–treated mice together with normal BALB/c B cells into C.B-17 severe combined immunodeficient mice failed to generate an anti-SRBC response. However, B cells from the SRBC-immunized, anti–4-1BB–treated BALB/c mice, together with normal naive T cells, exhibited a normal humoral immune response against SRBC after transfer, demonstrating that SRBC-specific B cells were left unaffected by anti–4-1BB mAbs.