Control of B lymphocyte apoptosis by the transcription factor NF-kappaB.
B cells maintain homeostasis by balancing cell viability and cell death. B lymphocytes are susceptible to mitochondria- and receptor-initiated cell death at various stages of peripheral differentiation and during immune responses. The inducible transcription factor NF-kappaB enhances cell viability by activating genes that counteract both cell-death pathways. This review uses characteristic features of NF-kappaB activation and downregulation to provide insight into the regulation of B cell apoptosis in the periphery. In particular, the temporal patterns of NF-kappaB induction, differences between Rel family members, and the intersection between canonical and noncanonical signaling pathways in keeping B cells alive are discussed.
Sen
Ranjan
R
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA. rs465z@nih.gov
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000276:immunology; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D016328:NF-kappa B