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).