CD137 Signaling Modulates Vein Graft Atherosclerosis by Driving T-Cell Activation and Regulating Intraplaque Angiogenesis

Atherosclerotic vein graft failure still presents a major problem. T-cells have been identified as one of the most abundant immune cell subset in atherosclerotic plaques. Their role, however, remains only partly understood. Using a murine vein graft model for advanced, unstable atherosclerotic lesions, we find that T-cells accumulate over time in atherosclerotic vein grafts, and appear to be activated rapidly after engraftment, demonstrated by increased expression of CD137 on plaque T-cells. Targeting of CD137 affects intraplaque angiogenesis and plaque growth, which renders CD137 a promising target for early immunomodulation to reduce atherosclerotic vein graft failure.