T cells commit suicide, but B cells are murdered!
In addition to self tolerance, the immune system needs to be regulated when a response has been initiated. Recent data suggest that activated T and B cells, as well as immature lymphocytes, are susceptible to programmed cell death and that Fas:Fas ligand (FasL) interactions play an important role in this process. However, while T cells may kill themselves via a Fas-dependent pathway, we propose that B cells undergo activation-induced apoptosis independent of Fas, yet can be susceptible to T cell-mediated, FasL-induced death. Therefore, T cells can "commit suicide," but B cells are "murdered" during the regulation of an immune response! Further evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that T cell and B cell apoptosis, are initiated through fundamentally different pathways.
Scott
D W
DW
Department of Immunology, Holland Laboratory for the Biomedical Sciences, American Red Cross, Rockville, MD 20855, USA.
Grdina
T
T
Shi
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism
D019013:CD40 Antigens; C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019014:fas Receptor; D023201:CD40 Ligand