Basic Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2004. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 1, 2004; 10(21): 3151-3156
Published online Nov 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i21.3151
Role of soluble Fas ligand in autoimmune diseases
Ning-Li Li, Hong Nie, Qi-Wen Yu, Ji-Ying Zhang, An-Lun Ma, Bai-Hua Shen, Li Wang, Jun Bai, Xue-Hua Chen, Tong Zhou, Dong-Qing Zhang
Ning-Li Li, Hong Nie, Qi-Wen Yu, Ji-Ying Zhang, An-Lun Ma, Bai-Hua Shen, Li Wang, Jun Bai, Dong-Qing Zhang, Department of Immunology, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai 200025, China
Xue-Hua Chen, Department of Surgery, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai 200025, China
Tong Zhou, Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai 200025, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by Grant From Science and Technology Development Foundation of Shanghai High Education Committee, No. 98ZD35 (to Ning-Li Li), and No.S990202 (to Dong-Qing Zhang)
Correspondence to: Dong-Qing Zhang, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai 200025, China. dqzhang13@sh163.net
Telephone: +86-21-64453149 Fax: +86-21-64453049
Received: December 23, 2003
Revised: January 8, 2004
Accepted: January 15, 2004
Published online: November 1, 2004
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the role of soluble Fas ligand in autoimmune diseases.

METHODS: RT-PCR was performed to amplify sFasL cDNA from the total RNA extracted from activated human peripheral blood lymphocytes. DNA fragments were cloned into PCR vector. After sequenced, sFasL gene fragments were inserted into pQE-31 vector and expressed in E. Coli M15 respectively. Proteins were purified through affinity chromatography column with ligand of 6 × His tag and identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Mice were immunized with sFasL protein and specific anti-serum was harvested 6 wk after immunization. Monoclonal anti-human FasL antibody was made from the immunized mice. Serum level of sFasL in different patients was detected using anti-FasL antibodies from the immunized mice.

RESULTS: The protein expressed was 24 ku by SDS-PAGE electrophrosis. The protein was specially bound to anti-human FasL antibody by Western blot analysis. The sFasL protein could induce Jurket cell apoptosis in vitro. The concentration of serum sFasL in patients with autoimmune diseases was higher than that in normal individuals. sFasL could reduce arthritis in collagen induced arthritis (CIA) mice model by subcutaneous injection.

CONCLUSION: sFasL may be involved in either induction of apoptosis or autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, sFasL may have potential application in treatment of autoimmune diseases.

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