Pharmacological inhibition of programmed lymphocyte death.
Programmed cell death (PCD) is a necessary process that helps to regulate the lifespan of lymphocytes and maintain the compartmental balance of lymphoid organs. In addition, PCD is required for the generation and maintenance of self-tolerance. Strategies that inhibit PCD cause profound alterations in the (patho)physiology of the immune system. Here, Guido Kroemer and Carlos Martínez-A. discuss the multiplicity of PCD-inducing pathways, which have been revealed through the use of PCD-inhibitory agents, and analyse the levels at which these agents act.
Kroemer
G
G
CNRS UPR 420, Villejuif, France.
Martínez
C
C
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006912:Hydroxyquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes / Q000502:physiology; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology
D006912:Hydroxyquinolines; D015735:Mifepristone; C045282:roquinimex; D014212:Tretinoin; D016572:Cyclosporine; D003513:Cycloheximide