Abstract
The antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL is induced in activated T lymphocytes upon costimulation through CD28, 4-1BB, and OX40. Bcl-xL is also highly enriched in memory T lymphocytes. Based on this body of evidence, it was thought that Bcl-xL plays an essential role in the generation of effector and memory T lymphocytes. We report that mice with a conditional deletion of Bcl-x in T lymphocytes develop a normal CD8+ T cell response to Listeria monocytogenes infection. Furthermore, Bcl-x conditional knockout mice exhibit normal T-dependent humoral immune responses. These results indicate that Bcl-x is dispensable for the generation of effector and memory T lymphocytes and suggest that costimulation of T lymphocytes promotes their survival through a Bcl-xL independent mechanism.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 6967-6973 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Immunology |
Volume | 174 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1 2005 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology