Metalloproteinase-mediated release of human Fas ligand

Fas (APO-1, CD95) is a type I integral membrane protein initially identified by mAbs that induce apoptotic cell death upon binding to certain tumor cells and its belongs to the TNFR family. Fas is expressed on activated lymphocytes and in various tissues including the liver, lung, intestine, and skin. Molecular cloning of Fas ligand (FasL) revealed that it is a type II integral membrane protein homologous to TNF. FasL is predominantly expressed on activated T and NK cells, and mediates Fas divided by target cell lysis by these effector cells. The Fas/FasL system has been also implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, fulminant hepatitis, GVHD, and AIDS. It has been recently reported that human FasL was released as a 26 kD soluble form from COS cells transfected with human FasL cDNA and activated human T cells. In this communication, metalloproteinase-mediated release of FasL and it's clinical relevance are discussed.