Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Examining BCL-2 Family Function with Large Unilamellar Vesicles
08:35

Examining BCL-2 Family Function with Large Unilamellar Vesicles

Published on: October 5, 2012

Bim and Bcl-2 mutually affect the expression of the other in T cells

Trine N Jorgensen1, Amy McKee, Michael Wang

  • 1Integrated Department of Immunology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262, USA.

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|September 6, 2007
PubMed

Insights

T cells rely on Bcl-2 and Bim proteins for survival. This study reveals that Bcl-2 and Bim mutually regulate each other

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • T cell survival and death are regulated by Bcl-2 family proteins.
  • Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic) and Bim (pro-apoptotic) are key regulators.
  • Bcl-2 levels decrease significantly as T cells undergo apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulatory relationship between Bcl-2 and Bim in T cells.
  • To determine if Bcl-2 and Bim mutually control each other's expression.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of this mutual regulation at protein and mRNA levels.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Bcl-2 and Bim protein and mRNA levels in T cells under various conditions.
  • Acute induction of Bcl-2 expression to assess immediate effects on Bim.
  • Quantitative assessment of protein and mRNA expression.

Main Results:

  • Absence of Bim reduces intracellular Bcl-2 protein levels without affecting Bcl-2 mRNA.
  • High cellular Bcl-2 levels lead to increased Bim protein and mRNA.
  • These mutual regulatory effects are observed even with acute Bcl-2 induction.

Conclusions:

  • Bcl-2 and Bim exhibit a reciprocal regulatory relationship in T cells.
  • This cross-regulation occurs at both the protein and mRNA expression levels.
  • Understanding this interplay is crucial for controlling T cell homeostasis and apoptosis.

More Related Videos

Examination of Thymic Positive and Negative Selection by Flow Cytometry14:29

Examination of Thymic Positive and Negative Selection by Flow Cytometry

Published on: October 8, 2012

In Vitro Differentiation Model of Human Normal Memory B Cells to Long-lived Plasma Cells10:26

In Vitro Differentiation Model of Human Normal Memory B Cells to Long-lived Plasma Cells

Published on: January 20, 2019

Related Concept Videos

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...