The major isoforms of Bim contribute to distinct biological activities that govern the processes of autophagy and apoptosis in interleukin-7 dependent lymphocytes

► Bim-mediated activities contribute to IL-7-driven T-cell homeostasis. ► Bim deficiency delays apoptosis and impairs the degradative phase of autophagy. ► Bim deficiency makes T-cells resistant to autophagy inhibition. ► Supported by IL-7, BimL interacts with dynein to enable lysosome acidification. ► BimEL and BimS promote apoptosis during IL-7 withdrawal.