| First Author | Zhang B | Year | 2006 |
| Journal | J Biol Chem | Volume | 281 |
| Issue | 50 | Pages | 38617-24 |
| PubMed ID | 17046818 | Mgi Jnum | J:117656 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3697049 | Doi | 10.1074/jbc.M606705200 |
| Citation | Zhang B, et al. (2006) NF-kappaB2 is required for the control of autoimmunity by regulating the development of medullary thymic epithelial cells. J Biol Chem 281(50):38617-24 |
| abstractText | Medullary thymic epithelial cells function as antigen-presenting cells in negative selection of self-reactive T cell clones, a process essential for the establishment of central self-tolerance. These cells mirror peripheral tissues through promiscuous expression of a diverse set of tissue-restricted self-antigens. The genes and signaling pathways that regulate the development of medullary thymic epithelial cells are not fully understood. Here we show that mice deficient in NF-kappaB2, a member of the NF-kappaB family, display a marked reduction in the number of mature medullary thymic epithelial cells that express CD80 and bind the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1, leading to a significant decrease in the extent of promiscuous gene expression in the thymus of NF-kappaB2(-/-) mice. Moreover, NF-kappaB2(-/-) mice manifest autoimmunity characterized by multiorgan infiltration of activated T cells and high levels of autoantibodies to multiple organs. A subpopulation of the mice also develops immune complex glomerulonephritis. These findings identify a physiological function of NF-kappaB2 in the development of medullary thymic epithelial cells and, thus, the control of self-tolerance induction. |
