The Serum Levels of Soluble Fas Ligand and Soluble Fas Receptor in Patients with chronic congestive heart failure

Objectives To investi gate the association of soluble Fas ligand( sFasL) and soluble Fas receptor( sFas) with human chronic con gestive heart failure( CHF) . Methods The serum level of sFasL and sFas in 33 patients with CHF (13 in cardiac function class Ⅱ, 17 in class Ⅲ, 3 in class Ⅳ, NYHA) was assessed with enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay, and was compared with that of 18 age - , blood pressure - matched patients with car diac function class Ⅰ (NYHA). Results There was no difference in the level of sFasL between the two groups [CHF group: 231. 50 + / - 84. 50 (cardiac function class Ⅱ216. 50 + / - 96. 00 , class Ⅲ 226. 80 + / - 85. 70, class Ⅳ 244. 00 + / - 73. 00) vs. cardiac function class I group: 217. 50 + /-89. 00 pg/mL, P>0. 05]. However, the level of sFas was significantly higher in the patients with CHF than those of cardiac function class I group [CHF group: 1353. 30 +/-507. 71 (cardiac function class Ⅱ 1154. 85 + /-371. 20 , class Ⅲ1412.88 + /-493. 62, classⅣ1875. 67 + / - 806. 10) vs. cardiac function class I group: 983. 11+/ -461. 26 pg/mL, P<0. 05 ] . Conclusions sFasL was not associated with human CHF. However, the elevation of serum level of sFas was proportion to the severity of human CHF. sFas may play an important role in the patho- genesis of human CHF.

Molecular Docking of 4-Tert-buthyl-bis-(2,6-thiomorpholin-4-ylmethyl)-1-phenol (LQM319) on Fas Receptor (CD95)

The balance between cell proliferation and cell growth characterizes tissue homeostasis on one side and cell death on the other side. Fas receptor-mediated apoptosis is a control mechanism for tissue homeostasis, and avoiding this death pathway predisposes to many human diseases, including cancer. Current therapies for this disease are invasive and do not have the desired effect in the control of the disease. In this context, the search for new drugs that contribute to a better treatment is gaining more relevance. 4-tert-butyl-bis-(2,6-thiomorpholin-4-ylmethyl)-1-phenol (LQM319) [1,2] is a drug currently in preclinical stage, and we have shown that it has a hypertensive effect, similar to captopril, in a hypertensive rat model. Different studies have shown that some chemicals that are used as antihypertensive agents have an antineoplastic effect against certain types of cancer, as is the case of hydralazine [3], and captopril [4], among others [5]. On the other hand, it has been reported that morpholine derivatives may activate Fas (CD95)-mediated apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to show the interaction between CD95 (receptor) and thiomorpholine derivatives (ligand) using molecular modeling and docking studies, and to elucidate the possible action mechanism of 4-tert-butyl-bis-(2,6-thiomorpholin-4-ylmethyl)-1-phenol.

Distinct patterns of mucosal apoptosis in H pylori-associated gastric ulcer are associated with altered FasL and perforin cytotoxic pathways

AIM: To analyze the level of apoptosis in different mucosal compartments and the differential expression of Fas/Fas-ligand and perforin in H pylori-associated gastric ulcer. METHODS: Antral specimens from patients with H pylori-related active gastric ulcer (GU), H pylori-related gastritis, and non-infected controls were analysed for densities and distribution of apoptotic cells determined by the TdT-mediated dUDP-biotin nick-end-labelling method. GU patients were submitted to eradication therapy with follow-up biopsy after 60 d. Fas, FasL, and perforin-expressing cells were assessed by immunoper- oxidase, and with anti-CD3, anti-CD20 and anti-CD68 by double immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Quantitative analysis was performed using a computer- assisted image analyser. RESULTS: H pylori-infected antrum showed greater surface epithelial apoptosis which decreased after eradi- cation therapy. In the lamina propria, higher rates of mononuclear cell apoptosis were observed in H pylori- gastritis. Co-expression of Fas with T-cell and macro- phage markers was reduced in GU. FasL- and perforin-expressing cells were increased in H pylori-infection and correlated with epithelial apoptosis. Perforin-expressing cells were also increased in GU compared with H pylori- gastritis. CONCLUSION: Epithelial apoptosis is increased in H pylori-infection and correlates to FasL- and perforin- expression by T cells. Expression of perforin is correlated with the tissue damage, and may represent the enhance- ment of a distinct cytotoxic pathway in GU. Increased expression of FasL not paralleled by Fas on T-cells and macrophages may indicate a reduced susceptibility to the Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis of lymphoid cells in H pylori-infection.

Effect of ethanol on pro-apoptotic mechanisms in polarizedhepatic cells

Chronic ethanol consumption is associated with serious and potentially fatal alcohol-related liver injuries such as hepatomegaly, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Moreover, it has been documented that the clinical progression of alcohol-induced liver damage may be associated with an increase in hepatocellular death that involves apoptotic mechanisms. Although much information has been learned about the clinical manifestations associated with alcohol-related diseases, the search continues for a better understanding of the molecular and/or cellular mechanisms by which ethanol exerts its deleterious effects such as the induction of pro-apoptotic mechanisms and related cell damaging events. As part of the effort to enhance our understanding of those particular cellular pathways and mechanisms associated with ethanol toxicity, researchers over the years have utilized a variety of model systems. Recently, work has come forth demonstrating the utility of a hybrid cell line (WIF-B) as a cell culture model system for the study of alcohol-associated alterations in hepatocellular mechanisms. Success with such emerging model systems could aid in the development of potential therapeutic treatments for the prevention of alcohol- induced apoptotic cell death that may ultimately serve as a significant target in delaying the onset and/or progression of clinical symptoms of alcohol-mediated liver disease. This review article summarizes the current understanding of ethanol-mediated modifications in cell survival and thus the promotion of pro-apoptotic events with emphasis on analyses made in various experimental model systems, particularly the more recently characterized WIF-B cell system.