The Fas System in Mammalian Reproductive Organs

DOI Web Site Web Site 37 References Open Access

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 生殖組織におけるアポトーシスとFas抗原
  • セイショク ソシキ ニ オケル アポトーシス ト Fas コウゲン

Search this article

Description

Fas antigen (Fas) is a cell-surface receptor molecule that mediates apoptosis-inducing signals by stimulation with Fas ligand (FasL) or agonistic anti-Fas antibodies. It has been shown that Fas and FasL play important roles in the immune system. Although significant amounts of Fas and FasL mRNAs can be detected in the non-immune tissues including the reproductive organs, their roles are still unclear in these tissues. We have investigated the role of the Fas system in the cell death occurred in the reproductive organs. In mouse ovary, Fas-expressing granulosa and luteal cells were detected. Intraperitoneal administration with an agonistic anti-Fas antibody enhanced follicular atresia and luteolysis. Furthermore, mature ovaries from lpr mice carrying the mutant Fas gene were histologically abnormal in terms of follicular development. These results indicated that the Fas system is involved in the physiological cell death in the ovary. In the testis, although Fas protein is rarely expressed on testicular cells, transcripts for FADD and FLICE molecules that are specifically involved in the Fas-mediated apoptosis were detected. This result suggests that the Fas system may function in the testis. We propose that the Fas system plays important roles in the reproductive organs as well as in immune tissues.<br>

Journal

References(37)*help

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top