First Author | Strasser A | Year | 1991 |
Journal | Cell | Volume | 67 |
Issue | 5 | Pages | 889-99 |
PubMed ID | 1959134 | Mgi Jnum | J:69572 |
Mgi Id | MGI:1934869 | Doi | 10.1016/0092-8674(91)90362-3 |
Citation | Strasser A, et al. (1991) bcl-2 transgene inhibits T cell death and perturbs thymic self-censorship. Cell 67(5):889-99 |
abstractText | Early death is the fate of most developing T lymphocytes. Because bcl-2 can promote cell survival, we tested its impact in mice expressing an E mu-bcl-2 transgene within the T lymphoid compartment. The T cells showed remarkably sustained viability and some spontaneous differentiation in vitro. They also resisted killing by lymphotoxic agents. Although total T cell numbers and the rate of thymic involution were unaltered, the response to immunization was enhanced, consistent with reduced death of activated T cells. No T cells reactive with self-superantigens appeared in the lymph nodes, but an excess was found in the thymus. These observations, together with previous findings on B cells, suggest that modulated bcl-2 expression is a determinant of life and death in normal lymphocytes. |