Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
Different signaling pathways stimulate a disintegrin and metalloprotease-17 (ADAM17) in neutrophils during apoptosis
Yue Wang1, John D Robertson, Bruce Walcheck
1Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.
Abstract:
ADAM17 is a membrane-associated metalloprotease that cleaves proteins from the surface of neutrophils and modulates the density of various receptors and adhesion molecules. The protease activity of ADAM17 is highly inducible and occurs upon neutrophil activation as well as apoptosis. At this time, little is known about the signal transduction pathway that promotes ADAM17 activity in neutrophils upon the induction of apoptosis. We show that caspase-8 activation, Bid cleavage, and the release of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species are sequential transduction components of the Fas signaling cascade that induces ADAM17. This is different from ADAM17 stimulation upon overt neutrophil activation, which requires MAPK p38 or ERK, but not caspases and reactive oxygen species. ADAM17 activity in apoptotic neutrophils may serve to inactivate select effector molecules that promote the pro-inflammatory activity of recruited neutrophils. For instance, TNFα receptors TNF-RI and TNF-RII are substrates of ADAM17, and we show that they are shed during apoptosis, decreasing neutrophil sensitivity to TNFα. Altogether, our findings provide significant new insights into the signal transduction pathway that stimulates ADAM17 during induced neutrophil apoptosis. ADAM17 induction during apoptosis may rapidly diminish neutrophil sensitivity to the inflammatory environment, complementing other anti-inflammatory activities by these cells during inflammation resolution.
Insights
This study reveals the signaling pathway activating ADAM17 protease during neutrophil apoptosis, involving caspase-8 and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. This process reduces neutrophil inflammatory responses by shedding TNF receptors.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- ADAM17 is a metalloprotease on neutrophil surfaces, regulating receptor density.
- ADAM17 activity is inducible upon neutrophil activation and apoptosis.
- The specific signaling pathway for ADAM17 induction during neutrophil apoptosis remains largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the signal transduction pathway that stimulates ADAM17 activity during induced neutrophil apoptosis.
- To differentiate the apoptotic pathway from the pathway activated during overt neutrophil activation.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the role of caspase-8, Bid cleavage, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in Fas signaling.
- Compared signaling requirements for ADAM17 activation in apoptosis versus overt activation (MAPK p38/ERK).
- Assessed shedding of TNF receptors (TNF-RI, TNF-RII) as ADAM17 substrates during apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Caspase-8 activation, Bid cleavage, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species release are sequential steps in Fas-induced ADAM17 signaling during apoptosis.
- This apoptotic pathway differs from overt activation, which relies on MAPK p38 or ERK, not caspases or ROS.
- ADAM17 sheds TNF-RI and TNF-RII during neutrophil apoptosis, reducing sensitivity to TNFα.
Conclusions:
- Identified a novel signal transduction pathway for ADAM17 activation during neutrophil apoptosis.
- ADAM17 induction during apoptosis may attenuate neutrophil pro-inflammatory activity by decreasing sensitivity to TNFα.
- This mechanism contributes to inflammation resolution by modulating neutrophil inflammatory functions.
Related Concept Videos
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Apoptosis
Caspases
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.

