Genetic models of abnormal apoptosis in lymphocytes

Apoptosis is a critical mechanism for regulating cell numbers during development, normal responses to hormones and other stimuli, and immune and inflammatory reactions. Recent advances in defining the biochemical mechanisms of cell death, and the development of animal models with isolated defects in cell death pathways, have led to an increasing appreciation of the pathophysiologic importance of lymphocyte apoptosis. In this article, we review our current understanding of the pathways and roles of apoptosis in lymphocytes, with an emphasis on transgenic and knockout models. We also summarize the relevance of these animal models to human diseases.