Role of NF- B in T-lymphocyte Development

Abstract

The transcription factor NF-κB plays a major role inthe inducible expression of numerous genes in responseto infection, stress, or injury. Besides its evolutionarilyconserved role in innate immune responses, NF-κB alsofunctions in various aspects of lymphocyte developmentand function. The involvement of NF-κB in adaptive immunity through lymphocytes has been an area of great interest. Recent studies using a combination of genetic andmolecular approaches have shed new light on possibleroles of NF-κB in T-lymphocyte biology. In this paper,we summarize some recent findings from the authors'laboratory demonstrating that activation of NF-κB as aresult of pre-TCR signaling plays an important role in selection and survival of "β-selected" thymocytes...