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The interleukin-1 β (IL-1β converting enzyme (ICE) processes the inactive IL-1 P precursor to the proinflammatory cytokine. Adherent monocytes from mice harboring a disrupted ICE gene ([ICE.sup.-/-] did not export IL-1β or interleukin-1α (IL-1α) after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Export of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) from these cells was also diminished. Thymocytes from [ICE.sup.-/-] mice were sensitive to apoptosis induced by dexamethasone or ionizing radiation, but were resistant to apoptosis induced by Fas antibody, Despite this defect in apoptosis, [ICE.sup.-/-] mice proceed normally through development., The cytokine IL-1β plays a pivotal role in acute and chronic inflammation, bone resorption, myelogenous leukemia, and other pathological processes (1). IL-1β is synthesized as a 31-kD precursor devoid of [...]

The bcl-2 proto-oncogene can prevent the death of many cell types. Mice were generated that were chimeric for the homozygous inactivation of bcl-2. Lymphocytes without Bcl-2 differentiated into phenotypically mature [...]

The interleukin-1β (IL-1β) converting enzyme (ICE) processes the inactive IL-1β precursor to the proinflammatory cytokine. ICE was also shown to cleave the precursor of interferon-γ inducing factor (IGIF) at the authentic processing site with high efficiency, thereby activating IGIF and facilitating its export. Lipopolysaccharide-activated ICE-deficient ([ICE.sup.-/-]) Kupffer cells synthesized the IGIF precursor but failed to process it into the active form. Interferon-γ and IGIF were diminished in the sera of [ICE.sup.-/-] mice exposed to Propionibacterium acnes and lipopolysaccharide. The lack of multiple proinflammatory cytokines in [ICE.sup.-/-] mice may account for their protection from septic shock., ICE is a member of the growing family of ICE-like cysteine proteases (caspases) with a substrate specificity for aspartate (1). ICE (caspase-1) was identified on the basis of its proteolytic [...]

CD8 is either an αα homodimer or an αβ heterodimer, although most peripheral CD8-lineage T cells express only the CD8αβ heterodimer. The physiological function of CD8[beta was elucidated with mice that were chimeric for the homozygous disruption of the CD8β gene. The CD8[beta.sup.-1-1] T Cells developed normally to [CD4.sup.+] [CD8.sup.+] stage, but did not efficiently differentiate further, which resulted in few peripheral [CD8.sup.+] T cells. The number of peripheral [CD8.sup.+] T cells was restored by transfer of an exogenous CD8β gene into CD8β-deficien T cells. Thus, CD8β is necessary for the maturation of [CD8.sup.+] T cells., CD8 and CD4 are glycoproteins, expressed on both thymocytes and mature T cells, that act as coreceptors for the T cell antigen receptor (TCR)[1]. CD8 binds to the nonpolymorphic regions [...]

Investigates whether one or more of the interleukin converting enzyme (ICE) family is involved in the processing of prointerferon-y inducing factor (IGIF). How it was determined whether proIGIF could be processed by some of the known ICE-family proteases; Examination of the cleavage of proIGIF.

Examines the altered cytokine export and apoptosis in mice deficient in interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme. Processing of inactive precursor to the proinflammatory cytokine by interleukin-converting enzyme (ICE); Stimulation with lipopolysaccharide; Export of tumor necrosis factor; Sensitivity to apoptosis of thymocytes from mice.