Expression Profile of Fas-Fas Ligand in Spiral Ganglion Cells During Apoptosis

Objectives

To examine the expression profile of Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) during glutamate (Glu)-induced spiral ganglion cell (SGC) apoptosis.

Methods

Cultured SGCs were treated with 10-mM, 25-mM, and 50-mM concentrations of Glu and incubated for 24 or 48 hours. The expression intensity of FasL, Fas, caspase 3, and morphology of single SGC were evaluated using immunofluorescence staining.

Results

In semiquantitative analysis of the Glu-treated SGC, FasL, and caspase 3 expression intensity were increased with concentration- and time-dependent manner. Fas expression intensity did not change with different concentration at 48 hours. In morphologic analysis of the Glu-treated SGC, number of apoptotic cells were increased with concentration- and time-dependent manner.

Conclusion

FasL was expressed in apoptotic SGCs, suggesting that the Fas-FasL signaling pathway may be involved in the Glu-induced apoptosis of dissociated SGCs.