| Literature DB >> 15719025 |
Abstract
Programmed cell death--also known as apoptosis--has a crucial role in the immune system of mammals and other animals. It removes useless cells and potentially dangerous cells, including lymphocytes, and is involved in killing pathogen-infected or damaged cells. Defects in this process have been found to cause or contribute to diseases of the immune system, including immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, lymphoma and leukaemia. This review describes BH3-only proteins, a pro-apoptotic subgroup of the BCL-2 family, and their role in the development and function of the immune system.Entities:
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Year: 2005 PMID: 15719025 DOI: 10.1038/nri1568
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Nat Rev Immunol ISSN: 1474-1733 Impact factor: 53.106