Nakayama K, Nakayama K, Negishi I, Kuida K, Shinkai Y, Louie MC, Fields LE, Lucas PJ, Stewart V, Alt FW, et al:
Disappearance of the lymphoid system in Bcl-2 homozygous mutant chimeric mice.
Science 1993 Sep 17;261(5128):1584-8

ABSTRACT
The bcl-2 proto-oncogene can prevent the death of many cell types. Mice were generated that were chimeric for the homozygous inactivation of bcl-2. Lymphocytes without Bcl-2 differentiated into phenotypically mature cells. However, in vitro, the mature T cells that lacked Bcl-2 had shorter life-spans and increased sensitivity to glucocorticoids and gamma-irradiation. In contrast, stimulation of CD3 inhibited the death of these cells. T and B cells with no Bcl-2 disappeared from the bone marrow, thymus, and periphery by 4 weeks of age. Thus, Bcl-2 was dispensable for lymphocyte maturation, but was required for a stable immune system after birth.

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