The control of apoptosis in lymphocyte selection

Abstract

The stochastic nature of rearrangement and diversification of the gene segments encoding immunoglobulins (Igs) and T cell receptors (TCRs) inevitably gives rise to immature B and T lymphocytes that lack antigen receptors or express useless or dangerous (self-antigen-specific) ones. Signaling through antigen receptors promotes survival, proliferative expansion and further differentiation of useful cells and deletion of the useless and dangerous ones. During immune responses, pathogen-specific B and T lymphocytes, as well as cells of the innate immune system, undergo extensive proliferation and develop effector functions, such as antibody secretion, cytotoxicity or cytokine production. To prev..