Soluble human MHC class I molecules induce soluble Fas ligand secretion and trigger apoptosis in activated CD8(+) Fas

F Puppo1, P Contini, M Ghio

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV no. 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy.

International Immunology
|February 2, 2000
PubMed

In the present study, we have evaluated the apoptotic effect of soluble human MHC class I (sHLA-I) antigens on CD8(+) T lymphocytes. sHLA-I antigens and beta(2)-microglobulin-free HLA class I heavy chains, isolated from serum, induced apoptosis on phytohemagglutinin-activated CD8(+) T lymphocytes in autologous and allogeneic combinations. The extent of CD8(+) T cell apoptosis depends on the degree of activation, time of incubation with sHLA-I antigens and amount of sHLA-I antigens added to the cultures. Apoptosis is induced by the interaction of Fas (CD95)(+) cells with soluble Fas ligand which is released following binding of sHLA-I antigens to CD8 molecules. These results suggest that sHLA-I antigens may regulate immune responses by inducing apoptosis in activated CD8(+) T cells.

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