NF-kappaB at the crossroads of life and death.

Abstract

The choice between life and death is one of the major events in regulation of the immune system. T cells that specifically recognize viral or bacterial antigens are selected to survive and proliferate in response to infection, whereas those that are self-reactive are eliminated via apoptosis. Even the survival of alloreactive T cells requires their proper costimulation and, when infection subsides, the activated T cells are eliminated. A major regulator of such life or death decisions is the transcription factor NF-kappaB. However, NF-kappaB cannot function alone. A variety of mechanisms exist to modulate its activity and thereby affect the ultimate outcome of a cell's fate.

• Authors: Michael Karin, Anning Lin
• Journal: Nature immunology (Nat Immunol) Vol. 3 Issue 3 Pg. 221-7 (Mar 2002) ISSN: 1529-2908 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11875461 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)

Chemical References

• Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
• NF-kappa B
• Proteins
• TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1
• TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Animals
• Apoptosis
• Humans
• Immunity
• Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
• NF-kappa B (physiology)
• Proteins (physiology)
• TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1
• TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (pharmacology)