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The multiple roles of Fas ligand in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases

D H Dockrell1

  • 1Division of Genomic Medicine, University of Sheffield, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sheffield, UK. d.h.dockrell@shef.ac.uk

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|November 18, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Fas ligand (FasL) impacts infectious diseases by influencing cell death pathways. Dysregulation of Fas/FasL signaling can promote pathogen survival or immune evasion, affecting disease outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Fas ligand (FasL) is crucial for immune homeostasis, inducing apoptosis via Fas (CD95) receptor binding.
  • Dysregulation of the Fas/FasL pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of various infectious diseases.
  • Microbial strategies can involve inhibiting Fas signaling for survival or upregulating FasL for immune evasion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted roles of FasL in the context of viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections.
  • To elucidate how FasL contributes to immune homeostasis and immune evasion during infection.
  • To discuss the implications of Fas/FasL dysregulation in infectious disease pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of existing literature on FasL function in infectious diseases.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which microorganisms interact with the Fas/FasL pathway.
  • Examination of host responses involving FasL-mediated apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • FasL can be manipulated by pathogens to prolong survival or evade immune responses.
  • Host-directed FasL upregulation can lead to immune cell apoptosis, including bystander cells.
  • FasL plays a significant role in regulating inflammatory responses during infection.

Conclusions:

  • FasL is a key mediator in infectious diseases, influencing both pathogen survival and host immune responses.
  • Targeting the Fas/FasL pathway presents potential therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases.
  • Understanding FasL's complex roles is vital for developing effective treatments for infections.

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