DOWN-MODULATION OF C-MYC EXPRESSION INDUCES APOPTOSIS OF B-LYMPHOCYTEMODELS OF TOLERANCE VIA CLONAL DELETION

Whereas overexpression of the c-myc gene was found to promote apoptosi s in fibroblasts, myeloid, and T cells, physiologic cell death of imma ture 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 deleti on 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.