Cutting edge: A novel mechanism for rescue of B cells from CD95/Fas-mediated apoptosis

CD95-induced apoptosis contributes to the maintenance of homeostasis in bot h B and T lymphocyte-mediated immunity. B cells increase CD95 expression in response to activation signals and become susceptible to CD95-induced apop tosis, Protection from CD95-mediated death signals can be induced in mature Il cells by signals delivered through the B cell Ag receptor, In this pape r we demonstrate for the first time that rescue from apoptosis can occur in dependently of de not protein synthesis, This rescue from apoptosis prevent s activation of caspase 8, the apical caspase in the CD95 death pathway, an d CD95-FADD (Fas-associated death domain containing protein) association do es not occur normally, Thus B cell activation signals can biochemically mod ify proximal elements of the CD95 death pathway and regulate the sensitivit y of cells to apoptosis induction at the early stage in programmed cell dea th.