Constitutive expression of BCL-X(L) in the T lineage attenuates collagen-induced arthritis in Bcl-X(L) transgenic mice.

Objective: To determine if inhibition of T cell apoptosis through constitutive expression of Bcl-X(L) in the T lineage influences inflammatory arthritis in the mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model.

Methods: The incidence and severity of arthritis were quantified in Bcl-X(L) transgenic mice and nontransgenic littermates after immunization with type II collagen (CII). To correlate T cell responses with disease phenotype, antigen-specific T cell proliferation was measured by (3)H-thymidine incorporation.