| First Author | Chen M | Year | 2006 |
| Journal | Science | Volume | 311 |
| Issue | 5764 | Pages | 1160-4 |
| PubMed ID | 16497935 | Mgi Jnum | J:105747 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3616411 | Doi | 10.1126/science.1122545 |
| Citation | Chen M, et al. (2006) Dendritic cell apoptosis in the maintenance of immune tolerance. Science 311(5764):1160-4 |
| abstractText | Apoptosis in the immune system is critical for maintaining self-tolerance and preventing autoimmunity. Nevertheless, inhibiting apoptosis in lymphocytes is not alone sufficient to break self-tolerance, suggesting the involvement of other cell types. We investigated whether apoptosis in dendritic cells (DCs) helps regulate self-tolerance by generating transgenic mice expressing the baculoviral caspase inhibitor, p35, in DCs (DC-p35). DC-p35 mice displayed defective DC apoptosis, resulting in their accumulation and, in turn, chronic lymphocyte activation and systemic autoimmune manifestations. The observation that a defect in DC apoptosis can independently lead to autoimmunity is consistent with a central role for these cells in maintaining immune self-tolerance. |
