Fas expression on human fetal astrocytes without susceptibility to fas-mediated cytotoxicity
Abstract
Fas (APO-1/CD95) is a cell surface receptor, initially identified in lymphoid cells, but more recently detected in the central nervous system under pathologic conditions. Ligation of the fas receptor by fas ligand or by agonist antibodies induces apoptotic cell death in most fas-expressing cells. In the current study, using dissociated cultures of human fetal central nervous system-derived cells, we detected fas expression on astrocytes but not on neurons. Such expression differs from our previous results using cultures of human adult central nervous system-derived cells, which demonstrated fas expression on oligodendrocytes but not on astrocytes; the oligodendrocytes were susceptible to cell death via this pathway. Using multiple assays of cell death, including nuclear propidium iodide and TUNEL staining to detect nuclear-directed injury, cytofluorometric propidium iodide inclusion, and lactate dehydrogenase release to detect membrane-directed injury, we found that fas ligation, however, did not induce cell death in the cultured fetal astrocytes. Cytokines that augmented (gamma-interferon) or inhibited (interleukin-4) fetal astrocyte proliferation did not alter fas expression or resistance to fas ligation. Cells obtained immed...Continue Reading
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Fas-mediated apoptosis in clinical remissions of relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Neutralization of CD95 ligand promotes regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury
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Astrocytes are glial cells that support the blood-brain barrier, facilitate neurotransmission, provide nutrients to neurons, and help repair damaged nervous tissues. Here is the latest research.
Apoptosis
Apoptosis is a specific process that leads to programmed cell death through the activation of an evolutionary conserved intracellular pathway leading to pathognomic cellular changes distinct from cellular necrosis