Autoreactive T cells are deleted in the thymus via thymic negative selection and Bim-mediated apoptosis. Here the authors identify a cis-acting enhancer, EBAB, that is essential for proper Bim expression and apoptosis induction, and show that EBAB deficiency specifically impairs thymic negative selection without affecting peripheral T cell homeostasis.
- Miki Arai Hojo
- Kyoko Masuda
- Shinpei Kawaoka