Hydrogen peroxide triggers the expression of Fas/FasL in astrocytoma cell lines and augments apoptosis

Fas expression increases in perinecrotic areas of glioblastoma. In this stu dy the up-regulation of Fas/FasL by oxidative stress was shown. H2O2 exposu re increased Fas expression in two astrocytoma cell lines and cells became sensitive to agonistic anti-Fas antibody. FasL was up-regulated in astrocyt oma cells. Apoptosis of Molt-4 cells was augmented by astrocytoma cells pre treated with H2O2. Our findings suggest up-regulation of Fas in astrocytoma cells may lead them to be sensitive to apoptosis when cells are in oxidati ve stress. Whereas, the up-regulation of Fast may render astrocytoma cells cytotoxic to neighboring brain tissues and infiltrating immune cells. (C) 2 001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.