Finally, through simultaneous measurement of PBMC proteins on the nCounter assay, we identified CD28 and OX40 (<i>TNFRSF4</i>), both of which are critical co-stimulatory molecules during T-cell activation, as significantly upregulated in asthmatics.
OX40L‑treated and OX40+ T cell‑treated mice exhibited increased asthma through OX40/OX40L signaling, which probably promoted inflammatory factor expression, eosinophil infiltration and T cell proliferation.
Recent evidence demonstrates that cytokines TSLP and OX40 (CD134)/OX40 ligand seem to be important players in the maintenance of Th2 memory pool in the pathogenesis of asthma.
Several other costimulatory molecules of the TNFR family like CD30, CD134 (OX40) or CD137 (4-1BB) have been shown to be critically involved in the development of asthma and/or respiratory tolerance.