Abstract
The Fas ligand is predominantly expressed in activated T lymphocytes and is one of the major effector molecules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Previously, we found excessive apoptosis of epithelial cells and infiltrating lymphocytes expressing Fas ligand mRNA in the lung tissue of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Here we demonstrated that the administration of a soluble form of Fas antigen or anti-Fas ligand antibody prevented the development of this model and that lpr and gld mice were resistant against the induction of pneumopathy. These results suggest that the Fas-Fas ligand pathway plays an essential role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis and that preventing this pathway could have therapeutic value in lung injury and fibrosis.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Apoptosis*
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Bleomycin / toxicity
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Fas Ligand Protein
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Humans
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Hydroxyproline / analysis
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Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / genetics
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Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / immunology
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In Situ Nick-End Labeling
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Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
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Lung / chemistry
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Lung / pathology
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Membrane Glycoproteins / deficiency
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Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
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Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C3H
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Mice, Inbred ICR
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Mice, Inbred MRL lpr
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Mice, Mutant Strains
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Phagocytosis
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Pulmonary Fibrosis / immunology
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Pulmonary Fibrosis / pathology
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Pulmonary Fibrosis / prevention & control*
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / physiology
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T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
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fas Receptor / genetics
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fas Receptor / physiology*
Substances
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FASLG protein, human
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Fas Ligand Protein
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Fasl protein, mouse
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Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins
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fas Receptor
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Bleomycin
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Hydroxyproline