Abstract

Recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms through which T cells are activated have led to new therapeutic approaches in the treatment of immunological disorders. An emerging target for selective immune intervention has been the manipulation of T cell costimulatory pathways. Impressive results in animal models have shown that the tumor-necrosis-factor receptor (TNFR) family member, OX40 (CD134), and its binding partner OX40L, are key costimulatory molecules involved in the regulation of many T cell mediated immune disorders. In this review we will highlight these new findings with a particular emphasis on their potential implications for immunotherapy of human disease.

Keywords: T cells, OX40, OX40L, immunotherapy, autoimmunity, transplantation, allergy, viruses, cancer