Abstract
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.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigens, Surface / analysis
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Azides / pharmacology
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Cell Death*
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Cell Differentiation
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Cell Survival / drug effects
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Cell Survival / radiation effects
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Crosses, Genetic
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Dexamethasone / pharmacology
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Female
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Gamma Rays
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Ionomycin / pharmacology
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Kinetics
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Lymph Nodes / cytology
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Lymph Nodes / immunology
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Lymphocyte Activation
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred Strains
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Mice, Transgenic
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Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
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Proto-Oncogenes*
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Sodium Azide
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
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T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes / radiation effects
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Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology
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Thymus Gland / cytology*
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Thymus Gland / immunology
Substances
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Antigens, Surface
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Azides
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
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Ionomycin
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Dexamethasone
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Sodium Azide
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Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate