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Involvement of Fas system‐mediated apoptosis in pathogenesis of viral hepatitis
Author(s) -
Hayashi N.,
Mita E.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of viral hepatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1365-2893
pISSN - 1352-0504
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2893.1999.00175.x
Subject(s) - fas ligand , apoptosis , hepatocyte , hepatitis b virus , virology , immunology , cytolysis , virus , pathogenesis , viral hepatitis , hepatitis , medicine , biology , programmed cell death , cytotoxicity , in vitro , biochemistry
Enhanced Fas system‐mediated hepatocyte apoptosis is observed in hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐ and hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐associated chronic liver diseases. In these forms of viral hepatitis, liver‐infiltrating lymphocytes that recognize the viral antigen on hepatocytes become activated and express cytolytic Fas ligand (FasL) molecules. In contrast, hepatocytes exhibit enhanced Fas expression and become susceptible to FasL‐mediated death. Augmentation of the Fas system has also been observed in other liver diseases and biliary disorders. Moreover, the Fas system is involved in removing aged hepatocytes. Thus, Fas‐mediated apoptosis plays an important role in several liver diseases and in maintaining normal liver homeostasis.