Upstream mediators of the Fas apoptotic transduction pathway are defective in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Leuk Res. 2001 Nov;25(11):967-80. doi: 10.1016/s0145-2126(01)00063-7.

Abstract

Data concerning the presence and the functionality of Fas receptor in malignant B-cells are controversial. We have analyzed Fas molecules on B-cells from patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells. We observed a large variability, both of percentage of Fas-positive cells and of intensity of Fas level. Fas triggering was inefficient in inducing apoptosis whatever the number of Fas-positive B-cells, the amount of Fas receptors. B-cells were also resistant to etoposide treatment, but able to undergo apoptosis after dexamethasone treatment. We suggest that the Fas apoptotic pathway is altered in B-CLL patients at the initial step(s) of apoptotic machinery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Caspases / physiology
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Dexamethasone / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Etoposide / pharmacology
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Fas-Associated Death Domain Protein
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / etiology
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology*
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • fas Receptor / analysis
  • fas Receptor / pharmacology
  • fas Receptor / physiology*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • FADD protein, human
  • FASLG protein, human
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Fas-Associated Death Domain Protein
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • fas Receptor
  • Etoposide
  • Dexamethasone
  • Caspases