Pathways leading to cell death in T cells.

Antigen-induced apoptosis of T cells is a highly regulated process which plays a key role in the elimination of self-reactive T cells and, thus, in the prevention of autoimmunity. It has recently become apparent that members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily regulate antigen-induced T-cell death. Studies characterizing genes which control TNF/TNFR superfamily expression and how TNF/TNFR signal transducers activate cell death machinery, such as caspases, have begun to reveal the molecular control of antigen-induced T-cell death.