APOPTOSIS AND FUNCTIONAL FAS ANTIGEN IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS SYNOVIOCYTES

Objective, To determine whether apoptosis occurs in rheumatoid arthrit is (RA) synoviocytes, and if this phenomenon is dependent on the Fas/A po-1 pathway, Methods. Apoptotic change in vivo was examined in RA syn ovial cells by several standard methods, The ability of cells to under go Fas-induced apoptosis was determined in vitro. Results, Typical apo ptotic change was demonstrated in RA synovial cells by each method, An ti-Fas antibody induced apoptotic synovial cell death in vitro. Conclu sion, This is the first reported study to demonstrate apoptosis in RA synovial cells. The findings indicate that rheumatoid synoviocytes und ergo Fas-mediated apoptosis.