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The many roles of FAS receptor signaling in the immune system

Andreas Strasser1, Philipp J Jost, Shigekazu Nagata

  • 1The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. strasser@wehi.edu.au

Immunity
|February 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

The Fas receptor (FAS) and its ligand (FASL) are crucial for immune responses, eliminating infected cells and harmful lymphocytes to prevent autoimmunity and tumors. FAS signaling initiates programmed cell death (apoptosis) via caspase-8, with amplification in some cells.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • FAS (Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor superfamily) possesses an intracellular death domain, initiating apoptosis.
  • FAS ligand (FASL) is a TNF cytokine family member, crucial for immune regulation.
  • FAS-mediated apoptosis is vital for eliminating infected cells and self-reactive lymphocytes, preventing autoimmunity and cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of FAS-induced apoptosis signaling pathways.
  • To propose future research directions for advancing knowledge in FAS signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on FAS signaling.
  • Analysis of studies involving mutant mice and human patients.
  • Examination of molecular mechanisms of apoptosis induction.

Main Results:

  • FAS triggers apoptosis through FADD and caspase-8.
  • Apoptosis amplification in hepatocytes involves BID activation.
  • FAS signaling components are also implicated in non-apoptotic cellular processes like activation, differentiation, and proliferation.

Conclusions:

  • FAS plays a multifaceted role in the immune system and beyond.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the non-apoptotic functions of FAS signaling components.

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