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

By Y. Refaeli, L. van Parijs, S. Alexander, A. Abbas. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 2002

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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.

Subfields: Immunology

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/0cef33cd38058f47c13e67236ebf2cd09b904425