Double role of Fas ligand in the apoptosis of intervertebral disc cells in vitro.
Fas ligand (FasL) may play an important role in maintaining the immune privilege of intervertebral disc (IVD). Besides, it is closely related to the apoptosis of degenerative disc cells. Nowadays, lots of reports have described about the paradoxical effects of FasL, although the effect of FasL on IVD cells is still under debate. In this study, we tried to investigate the effects of FasL on Fas expression and on the apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells in Sprague-Dawley rats. The results showed that the expression of Fas in NP cells was significantly increased by the recombinant FasL. Meanwhile, the apoptosis of NP cells increased markedly in a FasL dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, RNA interference results indicated that the increase of Fas expression and the NP cell apoptosis described previously were inhibited by Fas siRNA, suggesting that RNA interference might be one of novel strategies to prevent IVD cells from apoptosis.
Han
Dunfu
D
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Ding
Yue
Y
Liu
Shang-Li
SL
Wang
Gang
G
Si
In-Cheong
IC
Wang
Xinguang
X
Cui
Liyang
L
Huang
Dongshang
D
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; C491898:Fas protein, rat; D019014:fas Receptor