Soluble human MHC class I molecules induce soluble Fas ligand secretion and trigger apoptosis in activated CD8(+) Fas (CD95)(+) T lymphocytes

Int Immunol. 2000 Feb;12(2):195-203. doi: 10.1093/intimm/12.2.195.

Abstract

In the present study, we have evaluated the apoptotic effect of soluble human MHC class I (sHLA-I) antigens on CD8(+) T lymphocytes. sHLA-I antigens and beta(2)-microglobulin-free HLA class I heavy chains, isolated from serum, induced apoptosis on phytohemagglutinin-activated CD8(+) T lymphocytes in autologous and allogeneic combinations. The extent of CD8(+) T cell apoptosis depends on the degree of activation, time of incubation with sHLA-I antigens and amount of sHLA-I antigens added to the cultures. Apoptosis is induced by the interaction of Fas (CD95)(+) cells with soluble Fas ligand which is released following binding of sHLA-I antigens to CD8 molecules. These results suggest that sHLA-I antigens may regulate immune responses by inducing apoptosis in activated CD8(+) T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay
  • Ligands
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Solubility
  • fas Receptor / immunology
  • fas Receptor / metabolism*

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Ligands
  • fas Receptor