FasL expression and reverse signalling.
FasL plays a central role in the induction of apoptosis within the immune system. It mediates activation-induced cell death (AICD) of T lymphocytes and contributes to the cytotoxic effector function of T and NK cells. Moreover, FasL is discussed as direct effector molecule for the establishment of immune privilege and tumour survival. Besides its death-promoting activity, FasL has been implicated in reverse signalling and might thus also play a role in T cell development and selection and the modulation of T cell activation. Considering these diverse functions, the overall FasL expression has to be tightly controlled to avoid unwanted damage. Based on an activation-associated transcriptional control, several post-transcriptional processes ensure a safe storage, a rapid mobilisation, a target-directed activity and a subsequent inactivation. Over the past years, the identification and characterisation of FasL-interacting proteins provided novel insight into the mechanisms of FasL transport, processing and reverse signalling, which might be exemplary also for the other members of the TNF family.
Lettau
M
M
Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Michaelisstr. 5, D-24105 Kiel, Germany.
Paulsen
M
M
Kabelitz
D
D
Janssen
O
O
D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000276:immunology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000276:immunology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein