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Getting away with murder: how does the BCL‐2 family of proteins kill with immunity?
Author(s) -
Renault Thibaud T.,
Chipuk Jerry E.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/nyas.12045
Subject(s) - immunity , immune system , biology , function (biology) , apoptosis , microbiology and biotechnology , bcl 2 family , perspective (graphical) , programmed cell death , immunology , genetics , computer science , artificial intelligence
The adult human body produces approximately one million white blood cells every second. However, only a small fraction of the cells will survive because the majority is eliminated through a genetically controlled form of cell death known as apoptosis. This review places into perspective recent studies pertaining to the BCL‐2 family of proteins as critical regulators of the development and function of the immune system, with particular attention on B cell and T cell biology. Here we discuss how elegant murine model systems have revealed the major contributions of the BCL‐2 family in establishing an effective immune system. Moreover, we highlight some key regulatory pathways that influence the expression, function, and stability of individual BCL‐2 family members, and discuss their role in immunity. From lethal mechanisms to more gentle ones, the final portion of the review discusses the nonapoptotic functions of the BCL‐2 family and how they pertain to the control of immunity.