Apoptosis in neuroblastomas induced by interferon-gamma involves the CD95/CD95L pathway

Background and Procedure. The CD95/ CD95 ligand (CD95L) system is a key reg ulator of apoptosis. To evaluate a possible role of the CD95/CD95L system i n human neuroblastoma (NB) cells, we investigated the constitutive and inte rferon gamma (INF gamma)-induced expression of CD95 and CD95L, and CD95-med iated cell death in the SK-N-BE(2) cell line. Results. Modulation of CD95/C D95L expression and triggering of an autocrine apoptotic mechanism by IFN g amma suggest a potential role for INF gamma as a therapeutic agent for NE. Conclusions. The evidence that retinoids induce apoptosis via tissue transg lutaminase (tTC) and that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and gp120 act through the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activation pathway, indicates the existenc e of different molecular mechanisms of action, whose pharmacological exploi tation might be used in an additive fashion. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 36:115-11 7, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, inc.