Down-modulation of c-myc expression induces apoptosis of B lymphocyte models of tolerance via clonal deletion.

Whereas overexpression of the c-myc gene was found to promote apoptosis in fibroblasts, myeloid, and T cells, physiologic cell death of immature B cell lymphomas correlated with a drop in c-myc expression. Here, the author reviews recent evidence demonstrating that inhibition of c-myc expression activates apoptosis of B cell models of clonal deletion and that rescue from apoptosis by CD40 ligand leads to maintenance of c-Myc levels. A model of differential functional expression of the c-myc gene is discussed.