Fas/FasL mediated apoptosis of thyrocytes in Graves' disease.

We examined in the present study the possible involvement of Fas and its ligand (FasL) in the process of Graves' disease. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that few normal thyrocytes expressed Fas but many thyrocytes in Graves' disease expressed this molecule. The percentage of FasL-positive thyrocytes in Graves' thyroids was, however, less than in normal thyroids. Several apoptotic thyrocytes and infiltrating mononuclear cells (MNCs) were detected scattered throughout Graves' thyroid tissues and abundant proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive thyrocytes were present. Apoptotic cells, as well as PCNA-positive cells, were scarcely detectable in normal thyroid glands, however. In vitro treatment of thyrocytes by IL-1beta a cytokine found to be expressed in Graves' thyroid glands, increased Fas but reduced FasL expression. IL-1beta-stimulated thyrocytes became sensitive to apoptosis by anti-Fas IgM monoclonal antibody (mAb). Activated T cells, which strongly expressed FasL, showed cytotoxic activity toward IL-1beta-stimulated thyrocytes but not toward unstimulated thyrocytes. This cytotoxic activity involved the Fas/FasL pathway. Importantly, unstimulated thyrocytes could kill activated, but not resting, T cells. IL-1beta-stimulated thyrocytes, with down-regulated FasL expression, could not efficiently kill activated T cells. The cytotoxic activity of unstimulated thyrocytes toward activated T cells was inhibited by anti-FasL mAb. Interestingly, unstimulated thyrocytes induced apoptosis in IL-1beta-stimulated thyrocytes but not in unstimulated thyrocytes. These interactions were also blocked by anti-FasL mAb. Our results suggest that the apoptotic cell death of both thyrocytes and infiltrating MNCs found in Graves' thyroid glands is regulated by IL-1beta through Fas/FasL interactions.     

Involvement of Fas/FasL pathway in the murine model of atopic dermatitis

Objective and design

The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of apoptosis mediated through Fas/FasL pathway using the mouse model of atopic dermatitis (AD).

Materials and treatment

AD was induced by epicutaneous application of ovalbumin (OVA) in wild-type C57BL/6, B6. MRL-Faslpr/J (Fas?) and B6Smn.C3-Faslgld/J (FasL?) mouse strains.

Methods

Skin samples were subjected to staining for Fas/FasL expression, M30 epitope and assessment of inflammatory response via immunohistochemical staining. Cytokine and chemokine production was assessed by real-time PCR.

Results

In comparison to wild-type mice, OVA sensitization of Fas- and FasL-deficient mice led to increased epidermal and dermal thickness, collagen deposition and local inflammation consisting of macrophages, neutrophils and CD4+?T cells. Fas- and FasL-deficient mice showed increased total counts of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and IgE levels in blood as well as increased expression of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TGF-1β mRNA in comparison to wild-type mice. On the other hand, expression of CXCL9 and CXCL10, IL-17 mRNAs in the skin samples in Fas- and FasL-deficient mice was decreased.

Conclusions

Our results show that lack of the Fas-induced apoptosis leads to exacerbation of AD characteristics such as Th2 inflammation and dermal thickening. Therefore, Fas receptor can play an important role in AD pathogenesis by controlling development of the local inflammation.

     

Fas/Fas ligand (FasL)-deregulated apoptosis and IL-6 insensitivity in highly malignant myeloma cells

IL-6 is a growth factor which interferes in the apoptosis of malignant plasma cells. Here we explore its role in the spontaneous and Fas/FasL-regulated apoptosis of seven myeloma cell clones (MCC). MCC-2 and -7 were constitutively defective in Fas antigen in the presence of large membrane exposure of FasL, and showed a high rate of cell proliferation irrespective of the presence of IL-6. Cytofluorimetric analysis following propidium iodide (PI) staining revealed a minimal extent of spontaneous apoptosis, as in other IL-6-insensitive, though Fas-positive MCC, namely MCC-3 and -5. By contrast, a regular amplitude of apoptosis occurred in the remaining IL-6-dependent clones. Their propensity to cell death, as well as their FasL membrane expression, were promptly down-modulated by the cytokine, whereas no substantial effect was detected in IL-6-independent MCC. Furthermore, we investigated the quantitative secretion of FasL. Both [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) cytotoxicity assay and PI staining of WC8 lymphoblasts from a Fas-transfected mouse lymphoma, incubated with supernatants from MCC, showed a variable cytocidal property, thus confirming the cellular release of FasL. However, a significant elevation of FasL secretion occurred in both Fas^? MCC, whereas molecular cloning and sequencing of Fas revealed the presence of a splicing variant, namely Fas Exo4,6Del, in the cDNA from both MCC-3 and -5, which were previously demonstrated to be unresponsive to Fas stimulation. Taken together, these data provide evidence that concurrence of IL-6 insensitivity and deregulation of apoptosis in myeloma cells reflects a high malignancy grade. It is suggested that the secretion of Fas splicing variants in Fas⁺ plasma cells, as well as the over-production of FasL in Fas^? myelomas, are differential mechanisms by which myeloma cells escape host immune surveillance.     

Involvement of Fas/FasL system in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and Wilson's disease.

The interaction of Fas with FasL has been demonstrated to be implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune and liver diseases. Recently, attention has been focused on the hypothesis that thyrocytes and beta cells undergo massive Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis during autoimmune response. Similarly, hepatocyte cell death occurring following copper accumulation points towards the same mechanism.     

Involvement of Fas/Fas ligand system-mediated apoptosis in the development of concanavalin A-induced hepatitis

Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis is an experimental hepatitis model in which hepatic injury is caused by the action of cytokines produced by T cells. Using IFN-γ-deficient mice, we previously demonstrated that IFN-γ plays a central role in Con A-induced hepatitis. Here, we show that development of the disease is completely suppressed in gld/gld mice, in which Fas ligand is defective. In contrast, suppression of the disease in lpr/lpr mice was incomplete, since a small amount of the fas mRNA was produced in these mice. The data indicate that activation of the Fas/Fas ligand system is a necessary step in the development of Con A-induced hepatitis. Furthermore, we found that not only fas but also caspase-1 expression was reduced in IFN-γ-deficient mice. Since caspase-1 is an integral component of Fas signal transduction, these observations suggest that IFN-γ-induced activation of both fas and caspase-1 expression causes enhancement of hepatocyte apoptosis resulting in the development of hepatitis.     

Involvement of apoptosis antigen Fas in clonal deletion of human thymocytes

Apoptosis appears to play a major role in the differentiationand selection of T and B lymphocytes, but the mechanisms ofclonal deletion of T cells in thymus are not well understood.We have prepared an anti-human Fas IgM mAb with associated apoptosis-inducingactivity in Fas antigen-positive target cells including humanT cells. We analyzed the expression of apoptosis antigen Fason human thymocytes by cytofluorometry showing low, but significantamounts of Fas antigen on double-negative and double-positiveundifferentiated thymocytes. On the contrary, most of the differentiatedthymocytes (single-positive or CD3-brightest) expressed undetectablelevels of Fas antigen. About 1-2% of thymocytes expressed highamounts of Fas antigen, and these cells, which were CD3-bright,were CD4-bright and CD8-low at the stage of late double-positivelineage. Immunohlstologlcal analysis shows these Fas-brightcells on the edge of the medulla. Stimulation through the TCRcomplex was shown to induce the expression of Fas antigen onthymocytes at the late double-positive stage and prolonged stimulationthrough the TCR complex rendered the Fas-bright thymocytes sensitiveto apoptosis-induclng activity of anti-Fas. To show the involvementof the Fas system in the negative selectlon/clonal deletionof thymocytes, we organ-cultured human thymus in the presenceof the superantigen, staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB), andnew antagonistic anti-Fas mAb, which can inhibit the apoptosis-induclngactivity of the original anti-Fas mAb. The SEB-reactJve TCRcomplex on thymocytes was at first down-regulated by SEB, thenthe SEB-reactlve clone was deleted by apoptosis, which was inhibitedby an antagonistic anti-Fas mAb. Thus, Fas antigen is shownto be involved in the negative selection/clonal deletion ofsuperantlgen-reactive thymocytes.     

Involvement of a p53-dependent pathway in rubella virus-induced apoptosis.

In light of the important role of apoptotic cell death in the pathogenesis of several viral infections, we asked whether the cytopathogenicity evoked by rubella virus (RV) might also involve apoptotic mechanisms. The To-336 strain of RV induced apoptosis in Vero and RK-13 cells, but not in fibroblast cell lines. UV-inactivated RV virions did not elicit the apoptotic response, indicating that productive infection is required for the induction of cell death. Both p53 and p21 protein levels were highly elevated in RV-infected Vero cells. The level of p21 mRNA was increased, while expression of the p53 gene was unaffected by RV infection. A dominant-negative p53 mutant (p53(W248)) conferred partial protection from RV-induced apoptosis. These data implicate a p53-dependent apoptotic pathway in the cytopathogenicity of RV, thereby suggesting a mechanism by which RV exerts its teratogenic effects.     

Fas及FasL和Caspase-3在青蒿琥酯诱导人胚肺成纤维细胞凋亡中的表达

背景:青蒿琥酯具有减轻肺纤维化的作用,但相关机制的研究罕见报道。 目的：探讨青蒿琥酯对人胚肺成纤维细胞凋亡的作用及其与Fas,FasL,Caspase-3表达的关系。 方法：用1,10,100 mg/L青蒿琥酯分别干预体外培养的人胚肺成纤维细胞。采用CCK-8法检测青蒿琥酯对人胚肺成纤维细胞增殖的影响,流式细胞术测定细胞凋亡率,RT-PCR法测定Fas,FasL,Caspase-3 的mRNA的表达。 结果与结论：青蒿琥酯呈浓度依赖性抑制人胚肺成纤维细胞增殖,细胞经青蒿琥酯作用后凋亡率明显增加(P  < 0.05或P  < 0.01),Fas,FasL,Caspase-3 mRNA的表达显著高于对照组(P < 0.05)。结果证实,青蒿琥酯可通过上调Fas,FasL,Caspase-3 mRNA的表达抑制人胚肺成纤维细胞增殖、并促进细胞凋亡,发挥抗肺纤维化作用。     

The role of Fas/FasL system in induction of hepatocyte apoptosis in chronic viral hepatitides

The aim of the study was assessment of hepatocyte apoptosis depending on expression of Fas and FasL proteins by various liver cells in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B (CVHB) or chronic viral hepatitis C (CVHC). The symptoms of hepatocyte apoptosis were observed in 3 of 12 patients with CVHB and in 9 of 14 patients with CVHC, the proportion of apoptotic cells being 12-65%. Hepatocytes of healthy people and patients with hepatitis B or C express Fas protein in the cytoplasm diffusely, as granules or on cell membrane. In health, hepatocytes do not express FasL, but in CVH they do. The highest apoptosis was observed in Fas protein location as granules in cytoplasm or in their preferable location on the cell membrane. The severity of hepatocyte apoptosis in CVH directly correlated with FasL expression by the cells of the lymphoid-histiocytic infiltrate in the liver and inversely correlated with FasL expression by hepatocytes. Thus, a great part of hepatocytes in CVH are killed by the virus; Fas/FasL interaction is leading in damage to hepatocytes in CVH.     

Molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating T and B cell apoptosis through Fas/FasL interaction

Fas (CD95) and Fas ligand (FasL) are a receptor/ligand pair critically involved in lymphocyte homeostasis and peripheral tolerance such that genetic defect in either Fas or FasL results in an autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome. Fas is a type I transmembrane protein and a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family whereas FasL is a type II transmembrane protein and a member of TNF family. Binding of Fas by FasL induces apoptosis of the Fas-expressing cells. In the past few years, Fas/FasL interaction has been connected to a series of important phenomena previously viewed as independent immune processes. The activation-induced T cell death (AICD) and the FasL-mediated cytotoxicity by activated T cells are two critical mechanisms that can account for most of these phenomena. It is in the context of the two mechanisms that we discuss in this review the molecular and cellular events that occur during T/T and T/B interactions that account for the down-regulation of the immune response. We have also discussed recent advances in the areas of FasL gene regulation, lymphokine regulation of AICD, and regulation of B cell susceptibility to FasL. Investigation in these areas should help elucidate the role of Fas/FasL in the complex network of regulatory mechanisms that control immune response and autoimmunity.     

Involvement of the Fas/FasL pathway in the pathogenesis of germ cell tumours of the adult testis

Induction of apoptosis by Fas ligand (FasL) of Fas-containing cells is a known mechanism involved in the eradication of inappropriate cells during normal development. Alterations of the Fas/FasL pathway have been found in various types of cancer, leading to circumvention of attack of the tumour by the immune system. An alternative way to circumvent eradication by induction of apoptosis is through changes in the downstream inhibitors. For example, Fas-associating phosphatase-1 (Fap-1) binds directly to the Fas receptor and results in a block of the downstream signalling. To shed more light on the role of the Fas/FasL pathway in the development of human testicular germ cell tumours of the adult testis, this study investigated the presence of Fas, FasL, Fap-1, HLA class I and II molecules, CD45 (lymphocyte marker), and CD57 [natural killer (NK) cell marker] by immunohistochemistry on frozen sections of 41 cases of seminomas, non-seminomas, and spermatocytic seminomas. Every germ cell tumour was positive for Fap-1 and negative for HLA classes I and II, like their non-malignant cells of origin. The infiltrating lymphocytes, predominantly present in seminomas, showed consistently positive staining for Fas and CD45, but not for Fap-1. No Fas was found on NK cells. All seminomas and non-seminomas (except teratomas), including their precursor stages, carcinoma in situ, intratubular seminoma and intratubular non-seminoma, showed positive staining for FasL, but not for Fas. Teratoma showed no staining for FasL and was positive for Fas. In contrast, both Fas and FasL were detectable on spermatocytic seminoma. These data indicate a different regulation of the Fas/FasL system in seminoma and spermatocytic seminoma, supporting a separate pathogenesis for these germ cell-derived tumours. The presence of Fap-1 in all histological variants of germ cell tumours might be related to the consistently positive staining in cells of the germ lineage. This study indicates that production of FasL by the germ cell tumour cells might be involved in the early development of these types of adult testicular cancer by inducting apoptosis of Fas-positive, Fap-1-negative tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes.     

FasL/Fas pathway is involved in dengue virus induced apoptosis of the vascular endothelial cells

The hallmark of the dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome is hematologic abnormality. The pathogenesis of dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome remains unknown. Our work showed that the dengue virus serotype‐2 induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Fas (CD95), Tumor Necrosis Factor receptors, and Tumor Necrosis Factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand receptors are the most common death receptors, which can induce apoptosis. Compared with the untreated human umbilical vein endothelial cells, Fas expression was increased both in the mRNA level and on the surface of infected human umbilical vein endothelial cells. FasL was expressed at similar levels on human umbilical vein endothelial cells over a course of dengue virus serotype‐2 infection, but the expression in mRNA level was increased in infected human umbilical vein endothelial cells. It is possible that there is soluble FasL secreted from human umbilical vein endothelial cells in the supernatant. Tumor Necrosis Factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand receptor 1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor receptors 1–2 were constantly very low, whereas Tumor Necrosis Factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand receptors 2–4 decreased after dengue virus serotype‐2 infection. This result suggested that dengue virus serotype‐2 may inhibit Tumor Necrosis Factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand receptors‐induced apoptosis. The apoptotic rates in human umbilical vein endothelial cells were decreased upon the addition of caspase family inhibitors. In addition, activated caspase 8 and caspase 3 were also observed by Western blot following dengue virus serotype‐2 infection. Thus, it is shown that the Fas/FasL pathway may participate in dengue virus‐induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in vitro. J. Med. Virol. 82:1392–1399, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

瘦素对缺氧复氧L02肝细胞凋亡及Fas/FasL表达的影响

目的： 观察瘦素(leptin)对缺氧复氧人正常肝细胞（L02）凋亡的影响。方法: 将L02细胞分别分为正常对照组、单纯缺氧12 h复氧组(IR组)和缺氧12 h复氧加不同浓度的瘦素（分别为100 μg/L、200 μg/L、400 μg/L、800 μg/L 和1 600 μg/L）干预组, 以流式细胞仪分析、DNA缺口末端标记 (TUNEL) 试验、荧光定量 PCR 等方法观察leptin 对L02肝细胞凋亡、Fas/FasL mRNA表达的影响。结果: （1）与正常对照组相比,IR组细胞凋亡率和TUNEL细胞阳性率增加（P<0.01）,加用不同浓度瘦素干预组的细胞凋亡率和TUNEL细胞阳性率与IR组相比明显下降（P<0.05）;（2）与正常对照组相比,IR组 L02 细胞中Fas/FasL mRNA表达明显上调(P<0.01);加用不同浓度瘦素干预组与IR组相比,Fas/FasL mRNA表达下降,以400 μg/L瘦素作用明显,结果有显著差异（P<0.05）。结论: 瘦素能减轻缺氧复氧培养L02肝细胞的凋亡,其机制可能与其下调细胞中Fas/FasL mRNA的表达有关。     

The Fas/FasL apoptotic pathway is involved in kappa-opioid-induced apoptosis of human endometrial stromal cells

Human endometrium expresses specific kappa-opioid binding sites and their endogenous ligands, the dynorphins. In neural crest-derived tissues, kappa-opioids affect apoptosis, a phenomenon of major significance in endometrial stroma physiology. Our hypothesis was that endometrial kappa-opioids may play a role in endometrial stromal cell apoptosis. Thus, we examined the effect of the synthetic kappa-opioid agonist, U69593, on the apoptotic rate of human endometrial stromal cells in primary culture. Apoptosis of endometrial stromal cells was elevated after 3 h exposure to 100 nmol/l U69593, and remained elevated for up to 3 days. This effect was dose-dependent and was reversed by the general opioid antagonist, naloxone, suggesting that it is mediated via opioid receptors. In parallel, semi-quantitative Western blot and flow cytometry analysis showed that U69593 caused a rapid but transient up-regulation of Fas protein, suggesting that its effect on apoptosis is mediated by activation of the Fas/FasL apoptotic pathway. Additionally, U69593 increased the content of the anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, the Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L), whereas it had no significant effect on the apoptosis-promoting homologues Bax, Bcl-x(S) and Bak. This implies that a transient survival mechanism is activated in stromal cells as a parallel rescue response to the apoptosis-inducing factor. In conclusion, our data suggest that endometrial opioid dynorphins may participate in the apoptotic processes related to endometrial tissue remodelling during early pregnancy or menstruation.     

Fas/FasL系统与慢性心力衰竭

Fas和FasL是细胞表面蛋白,与机体的分化发育、免疫调控密切相关。Fas/FasL系统在慢性心力衰竭的发生发展过程中参与免疫炎性反应、诱导心肌细胞凋亡、促进心肌细胞肥大增生、加剧心肌缺血再灌注损伤等过程。     

Fas and FasL in the homeostatic regulation of immune responses

Studies of the biological effects of Fas signaling, using transformed cell lines as targets, indicate that ligation of the Fas receptor induces an apoptotic death signal. Chronically activated normal human T cells are also susceptible to Fas-mediated apoptosis. However, interactions between Fas and Fas ligand can also yield a costimulatory signal. Here, David Lynch, Fred Ramsdell and Mark Alderson present a model for the role of Fas and FasL in the homeostatic regulation of normal immune responses. They discuss how dysregulation of the Fas apoptotic pathway may contribute to certain disease states, including autoimmune disease and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced depletion of CD4⁺ T cells.     

特异性ASODN抑制Fas表达降低FasL介导细胞凋亡的研究

为了研究特异性Fas反义寡核苷酸(ASODN)对T细胞Fas表达及肝癌细胞诱导其凋亡的抑制作用,用脂质体介导法将Fas ASODN导入Jurkat T细胞,并通过用流式细胞术、RT-PCR及与肝癌细胞共培养方法研究Fas ASODN对T细胞Fas表达、Fas mRNA水平及凋亡的影响。结果显示:①Hep G2.2.15细胞表达有功能的FasL,可诱导Jurkat细胞凋亡;②Jurkat细胞转染Fas ASODN后,Fas mRNA降低;细胞表面Fas表达下降;与Hep G2.2.15细胞共培养后的凋亡率下降。表明Fas ASODN转染可以部分逆转肝癌细胞对T细胞的凋亡诱导作用。     

Fas/FasL信号在免疫系统中的作用

Fas/FasL通路是介导细胞凋亡的一条重要途径.近年来研究发现,它可以促进分泌炎症细胞因子,激发炎性反应,参与免疫豁免、免疫逃逸、肿瘤形成及转移等过程.此外,FasL还可以作为受体传递反向信号,促进细胞增殖,并参与一些自身免疫性疾病的发生.     

幽门螺杆菌致T细胞凋亡：Fas/FasL介导的T细胞无反应性

目的 评价幽门杆菌（Hp）致T细胞死亡的方式和机制,探讨这种作用与Hp感染致宿主产生免疫耐受的关系。方法 应用AnnexinV染色流式细胞术检测Hp致T细胞死亡的方式;应用细胞毒实验（JAM技术）和FasIgG抗体、caspase8抑制剂组断实验评价T细胞凋亡与Fas/FasL作用的关系,并通过流式细胞术直接检测Hp对T细胞FasL表达的上调作用及其与T细胞产生凋亡的时效关系。结果 AnnexinV染色和JAM技术证实H致T慢以凋亡方式进行的。这种细胞凋亡能被抗Fas抗体和caspase8抑制剂阻断,因而是Fas依赖,TH2细胞较TH1样T细胞对这种作用更敏感。由于Hp能直接上调T细胞的FasL且其发生时间与凋亡出现时间吻合,证实Hp是通过凋节T细胞之间Fas/FasL相互作用而致其凋亡的。Hp能通过调节Fas/FasL作用而负调节T细胞的生长,这可能是Hp感染致宿主发生T细胞耐受的机制之一。