title: Co-expression of Fas and Fas ligand in human non-astrocytic glial tumors.
abstract: The study of Fas (APO-1/CD95) and Fas ligand (FasL) expression in human glial neoplasms has been primarily restricted to astrocytomas. Using immunohistochemistry, we analyzed 35 non-astrocytic glial neoplasms (12 WHO grade II ependymomas, 15 grade II oligodendrogliomas, and 8 grade III oligodendrogliomas) for these factors. A significant correlation was found between Fas and FasL expression within the same tumors (P = 0.001). Western blotting was used to corroborate these findings in 7 of these tumors (3 ependymomas and 4 oligodendrogliomas). Theoretically, the co-expression of Fas and FasL should render gliomas susceptible to suicidal and fratricidal elimination. Their progressive nature, however, suggests that gliomas have acquired mechanisms to prevent Fas-mediated apoptosis. Expression of the anti-apoptotic protooncogene bcl-2 is one potential way in which Fas/FasL-bearing gliomas can escape this fate. Although expression of Bcl-2 protein was found in 6 of 12 (50%) grade II ependymomas, 5 of 15 (33%) grade II oligodendrogliomas, and 6 of 8 (75%) grade III oligodendrogliomas, no correlation between Fas/FasL co-expression and Bcl-2 production could be demonstrated, indicating that protection from Fas-mediated apoptosis probably involves other mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Neurosurgery Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, 750 East Adams St., Rm. 3118 Wsk. Hall, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Frankel
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Ryken
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D019014:fas Receptor