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Interferon‐γ bolsters CD95/Fas‐mediated apoptosis of astroglioma cells
Author(s) -
Giammarioli Anna M.,
Vona Rosa,
Gambardella Lucrezia,
Ascione Barbara,
Maselli Angela,
Barbati Cristiana,
Tinari Antonella,
Malorni Walter
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07271.x
Subject(s) - apoptosis , fas receptor , sensitization , microbiology and biotechnology , interferon , programmed cell death , biology , cell , interferon gamma , cancer research , immunology , cytokine , biochemistry
In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of the resistance to CD95‐mediated cell death and the effects of interferon‐γ in modulating the susceptibility to CD95‐induced apoptosis of human astroglioma cells. We found that interferon‐γ administration sensitized cancer cells to CD95‐mediated apoptosis. The mechanism underlying this sensitization appeared to be associated with a framework of cell changes, including up‐regulation of death receptor at the cell surface, pro‐apoptotic molecule Bax and Bak over‐expression and mitochondria hyperpolarization, as is known to be associated with cell sensitization to apoptosis. An involvement of the proteasome activity in the mechanism of sensitization by interferon‐γ was also detected, probably as a result of the differing expression of catalytic proteasome subunits. Taken together, these findings suggest that interferon‐γ could represent a promising candidate for modulating astroglioma cell apoptotic susceptibility.