Expression of Fas Ligand and Its Receptor in Cutaneous Lupus: Implication in Tissue Injury

Fas ligand (FasL) is a type II membrane protein which belongs to the tumor necrosis factor family. Ligation of its receptor (Fas/APO-1/CD95) by FasL induces apoptosis of Fas-expressing cells. However, thein vivofunction of these molecules in cutaneous immunity is presently unknown. In the present st...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical immunology and immunopathology 1997-06, Vol.83 (3), p.223-229
Main Authors: Nakajima, Michiko, Nakajima, Atsuo, Kayagaki, Nobuhiko, Honda, Mitsuyoshi, Yagita, Hideo, Okumura, Ko
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Apoptosis - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Dermatology
Fas Ligand Protein
Female
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Keratinocytes - cytology
Keratinocytes - immunology
Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous - metabolism
Male
Medical sciences
Membrane Glycoproteins - biosynthesis
Membrane Glycoproteins - physiology
Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis
Skin - chemistry
Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects
Up-Regulation
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Summary:Fas ligand (FasL) is a type II membrane protein which belongs to the tumor necrosis factor family. Ligation of its receptor (Fas/APO-1/CD95) by FasL induces apoptosis of Fas-expressing cells. However, thein vivofunction of these molecules in cutaneous immunity is presently unknown. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of Fas and FasL in the pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus by immunohistochemical methods. In normal skin, expression of Fas was observed on keratinocytes in the basal to granular layers. Unexpectedly, FasL was constitutively expressed on histiocytes in the dermis. In specimens of cutaneous lupus, Fas was expressed on infiltrating lymphocytes, as well as on keratinocytes as observed in normal skin. FasL was expressed on a portion of infiltrating CD4+T cells and on histiocytes more frequently than those in normal skin. Double staining indicated that these FasL-expressing histiocytes were CD68 positive macrophages. Especially, FasL-expressing macrophages were distributed around appendages such as hair follicles. These results suggest the Fas/FasL interaction may be involved in the destruction of hair follicles which is a characteristic feature of cutaneous lupus.
ISSN:0090-1229
1090-2341
DOI:10.1006/clin.1997.4352