A possible role of Fas-ligand-mediated "reverse signaling" in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Fas/FasL system is involved in pathogenesis of a variety of autoimmune diseases. In overwhelming majority of situations alterations in Fas and FasL expression are viewed in frames of Fas-mediated apoptosis. In the present work we tested a possible involvement of Fas-ligand-mediated "reverse signaling" in pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Oligomerization of soluble Fas antigen induces its cytotoxicity.

Soluble Fas antigen can protect cells against Fas-mediated apoptosis. High level soluble Fas antigen characteristic for blood of patients with autoimmune disease or cancer is believed to prevent the elimination of autoimmune lymphocytes or tumor cells. Here we first report that human recombinant FasDeltaTM, i.