[HTML][HTML] Bim is required for T-cell allogeneic responses and graft-versus-host disease in vivo

Y Yu, J Yu, C Iclozan, K Kaosaard… - American Journal of …, 2012 - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Y Yu, J Yu, C Iclozan, K Kaosaard, C Anasetti, XZ Yu
American Journal of Blood Research, 2012ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Bim, a BH3-only Bcl-2-family protein, is essential for T-cell negative selection in the thymus
as well as for the death of activated T cells in the periphery. The role of Bim has been
extensively studied in T-cell responses to self-antigens and viral infections. Recent findings
on Bim in autoimmunity triggered our interest in investigating whether Bim may play a role in
another disease with inflammatory symptoms as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Here we
report that Bim is required for optimal T-cell responses to alloantigens in vivo and for the …
Abstract
Bim, a BH3-only Bcl-2-family protein, is essential for T-cell negative selection in the thymus as well as for the death of activated T cells in the periphery. The role of Bim has been extensively studied in T-cell responses to self-antigens and viral infections. Recent findings on Bim in autoimmunity triggered our interest in investigating whether Bim may play a role in another disease with inflammatory symptoms as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Here we report that Bim is required for optimal T-cell responses to alloantigens in vivo and for the development of GVHD. Using murine models of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), we found that donor T cells deficient for Bim are impaired in the induction of GVHD primarily due to a significant defect in T cell activation and expansion in vivo. Upon TCR engagement, Bim-/-T cells exhibited selective defects in CD69 expression and phosphorylation of PLCγ1. Our studies uncover a novel aspect of Bim function in T-cell activation with important implications in understanding the mechanisms of T-cell activation and tolerance under allogeneic transplantation.
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