B7-H4 reverse signaling induces the apoptosis of EBV-transformed B cells through Fas ligand up-regulation

Cancer Lett. 2008 Aug 8;266(2):227-37. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2008.02.067. Epub 2008 Apr 15.

Abstract

B7-H4 has an inhibitory effect on immune responses via the down-regulation of T cell-mediated immunity, but how the engagement of B7-H4 molecules by counter molecules affects the signaling mechanism of the B7-H4-expressing cells is poorly defined. In this study, we found that B7-H4 expression was enhanced on B cells infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and that triggering of these molecules induced apoptosis of EBV-transformed B cells. Engagement of B7-H4 initially increased intracellular level of ROS, which then induced the expression of FasL. Engagement of B7-H4 subsequently provoked Fas-mediated and caspase-dependent apoptosis in association with cytochrome c and AIF, and EndoG was released from the mitochondria on EBV-transformed B cells. These results suggest that B7-H4 may be a potential therapeutic target for EBV involved malignancy diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis Inducing Factor / metabolism
  • Apoptosis*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • B7-1 Antigen / metabolism*
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Transformation, Viral*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytochromes c / metabolism
  • Fas Ligand Protein / metabolism*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Up-Regulation
  • V-Set Domain-Containing T-Cell Activation Inhibitor 1
  • fas Receptor / metabolism

Substances

  • Apoptosis Inducing Factor
  • B7-1 Antigen
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • V-Set Domain-Containing T-Cell Activation Inhibitor 1
  • VTCN1 protein, human
  • fas Receptor
  • Cytochromes c
  • Caspases