Control of lymphocyte development by nuclear factor-kappaB.
The evolutionarily conserved nuclear factor-kappaB family of transcription factors is known to have a crucial role in rapid responses to stress and pathogens, inducing transcription of many genes that are essential for host defence. Now, studies of mice that are deficient in nuclear factor-kappaB-family members (or deficient in the activation of these factors) reveal that nuclear factor-kappaB is extensively involved in the development of T cells and B cells. And, as we review here, although these factors have several roles, their primary cell-autonomous function is to ensure lymphocyte survival at various developmental stages. This function is subverted in numerous diseases and can lead, for example, to survival of self-reactive lymphocytes or tumour cells.
Siebenlist
Ulrich
U
Immune Activation Section, Laboratory of Immune Regulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1876, USA. us3n@nih.gov
Brown
Keith
K
Claudio
Estefania
E
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D038041:Lymphopoiesis / Q000276:immunology*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D016328:NF-kappa B; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell