Interferon γ is required for activation-induced death of T lymphocytes

Y Refaeli, L Van Parijs, SI Alexander… - The Journal of …, 2002 - rupress.org
Y Refaeli, L Van Parijs, SI Alexander, AK Abbas
The Journal of experimental medicine, 2002rupress.org
The effector cytokine interferon γ (IFN-γ) may play a role in T cell homeostasis. We have
examined the requirement for IFN-γ in one mechanism that regulates T cell expansion and
survival, activation-induced cell death (AICD). CD4+ T cells lacking IFN-γ or the Stat1
transcription factor are resistant to AICD. IFN-γ is required for the production of caspases,
and retrovirus-mediated expression of caspase-8 restores the sensitivity of Stat1-deficient T
cells to AICD. In vitro, IFN-γ limits the expansion of T cells that are stimulated through their …
The effector cytokine interferon γ (IFN-γ) may play a role in T cell homeostasis. We have examined the requirement for IFN-γ in one mechanism that regulates T cell expansion and survival, activation-induced cell death (AICD). CD4+ T cells lacking IFN-γ or the Stat1 transcription factor are resistant to AICD. IFN-γ is required for the production of caspases, and retrovirus-mediated expression of caspase-8 restores the sensitivity of Stat1-deficient T cells to AICD. In vitro, IFN-γ limits the expansion of T cells that are stimulated through their antigen receptors. Thus, IFN-γ may function to control the expansion and persistence of T cells by promoting caspase-8–dependent apoptosis.
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