Role of cytokines in autoimmunity.
Activation-induced apoptosis of T lymphocytes is an important mechanism for maintaining self-tolerance. The sensitivity of T cells to apoptosis by the Fas pathway is regulated by the exposure of these cells to different cytokines. IL-2 is a survival and growth factor for T cells, as well as a necessary potentiator of Fas-mediated cell death. The role of this cytokine in triggering death pathways is the likely explanation for the autoimmune disease that develops as a result of targeted disruption of the IL-2 or IL-2 receptor alpha or beta chain gene.
Refaeli
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Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Abbas
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AK
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*
D016207:Cytokines