CD95/CD95L interactions and their role in autoimmunity.
CD95 (Fas/Apo-1) is a broadly expressed death receptor involved in a variety of physiological and pathological apoptotic processes. Since its discovery, defects in CD95/CD95L system have been proposed as major pathogenic factors responsible for impaired immunological tolerance to self antigens and autoimmunity. Later, analysis of altered sensitivity to CD95-induced apoptosis in cells targeted by the immune response has revealed an unexpected role for CD95 and CD95L in organ-specific autoimmunity. CD95 has been shown to be expressed and functional in virtually all cell types that are target of the organ-specific autoimmune response. Here we review some of the major findings concerning the role of CD95 in autoimmunity, in dysfunctions due to increased or decreased CD95-induced apoptosis.
Laboratory of Hematology and Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
L
L
Ricci-Vitiani
C
C
Conticello
A
A
Zeuner
R
R
De Maria
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000502:physiology*; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000276:immunology*
C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019014:fas Receptor