ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase is required for the up-regulation of Fas ligand in activation-induced T cell apoptosis

J Immunol. 1997 Aug 1;159(3):1135-9.

Abstract

Activation-induced cell death (AICD) is initiated by the TCR-dependent up-regulation of Fas ligand (FasL) mRNA. The subsequently generated soluble or cell-associated FasL gene products bind Fas, leading to apoptosis of the T cells. Although TCR stimulation is essential to initiate AICD, little is known about which TCR-initiated second messengers are required for FasL expression. We provide evidence in this work that T cells lacking the tyrosine kinase ZAP-70 are unable to up-regulate FasL and undergo AICD. Transfection of wild-type ZAP-70 into the ZAP-70-deficient T cells restores their sensitivity to TCR-induced apoptosis, whereas transfection of catalytically inactive ZAP-70 does not. These results provide clear evidence that ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase is essential in up-regulating FasL for TCR-induced apoptosis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / immunology*
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Ligands
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / deficiency
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology*
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / physiology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / enzymology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation / immunology*
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase
  • fas Receptor / biosynthesis
  • fas Receptor / genetics
  • fas Receptor / physiology*

Substances

  • FASLG protein, human
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • fas Receptor
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase
  • ZAP70 protein, human