title: Fas ligand expression following normothermic liver ischemia-reperfusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the pro-apoptotic molecule Fas Ligand (FasL) in 120 min normothermic ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) induced apoptosis in rat liver treated or not with Z-Asp-cmk caspase inhibitor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were divided into two groups: group 1, control, PBS administration; group 2, Z-Asp-cmk treatment. Z-Asp-cmk was injected intravenously, 2 min before induction of 120 min of normothermic liver ischemia. Immunohistochemical detection of apoptotic liver cells was carried out using the TUNEL method. Fas and FasL expression were measured by qualitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Northern and western blot, and by immunofluorescence labeling, in ischemic and non-ischemic liver lobes at different times after reperfusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FasL mRNA and protein expression were increased in ischemic liver, while Fas receptor mRNA levels remained unchanged. Pre-treatment of rats with Z-Asp-cmk caspase inhibitor reduced liver apoptosis, but did not modify FasL mRNA levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the pro-apoptotic molecule FasL is involved in the induction of liver apoptosis following I-R.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Recherches Chirurgicales, IFR 50, Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France. cursio@unice.fr
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cursio
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Filippa
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miele
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Colosetti
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Auberger
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Obberghen
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gugenheim
mesh_terms: D000590:Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D015424:Reperfusion
chemical_list: D000590:Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; C505662:Faslg protein, rat; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C421328:Z-Asp-2,6-dichlorobenzoyl-oxymethylketone; D020169:Caspases