Targeting peripheral blood pro-inflammatory CD28null T cells and natural killer T-like cells by inhibiting CD137 expression: Possible relevance to treatment of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome

Blocking CD137 expression in CD28null T cells and NKT-like cells is associated with down-regulation of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and granzyme B. Targeting CD137 reduces pro-inflammatory/cytotoxic expression in steroid-resistant CD28null T and NKT-like cells and may have therapeutic implications for patients with BOS.