TRAIL, Bim, and thymic-negative selection

Negative selection is a process whereby autoreactive lymphocytes are deleted through apoptosis. Negative selection is essential for self-tolerance and its breakdown may lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. Although the phenomenon of negative selection is well-recognized, its underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. Recent studies using gene-knockout mice have provided new insights into the mechanisms of negative selection. In this review, we discuss the newly discovered roles of TRAIL and Bim in negative selection. Our main focus will be on T cells and T cell mediated autoimmune diseases.