Involvement of Fas system-mediated apoptosis in pathogenesis of viral hepatitis.
Enhanced Fas system-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis is observed in hepatitis C virus (HCV)- and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated chronic liver diseases. In these forms of viral hepatitis, liver-infiltrating lymphocytes that recognize the viral antigen on hepatocytes become activated and express cytolytic Fas ligand (FasL) molecules. In contrast, hepatocytes exhibit enhanced Fas expression and become susceptible to FasL-mediated death. Augmentation of the Fas system has also been observed in other liver diseases and biliary disorders. Moreover, the Fas system is involved in removing aged hepatocytes. Thus, Fas-mediated apoptosis plays an important role in several liver diseases and in maintaining normal liver homeostasis.
Hayashi
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Department of Molecular Therapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Mita
E
E
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; C505658:Fasl protein, mouse; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019014:fas Receptor