Human brain-cell death induced by tumour-necrosis-factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)

Cell death induced by tumour-necrosis-factor-related apoptosis-inducing lig and (TRAIL) was believed to occur exclusively in tumour cells, suggesting t hat this drug is safe to use as an antitumour therapy. Concerns were raised , however, when cultured normal human hepatocytes were shown to be suscepti ble to TRAIL. Here we report that TRAIL induces apoptosis in the human brai n. Our finding therefore argues against the use of TRAIL for therapy of hum an brain tumours. However, neuroinflammatory T cells that express TRAIL mig ht induce apoptosis of brain tissue, indicating a potential target for trea tment of multiple sclerosis.