Melanoma Cell Expression of Fas(Apo-1/CD95) Ligand: Implications for Tumor Immune Escape
Michael Hahne(University of Lausanne), Donata Rimoldi(Ludwig Cancer Research), Michael Schröter(University of Lausanne), Pedro Romero(Ludwig Cancer Research), Max H. Schreier(Ludwig Cancer Research), Lars E. French(University of Geneva), Pascal Schneider(University of Lausanne), Thierry Bornand(University of Lausanne), A. Fontana(University Hospital of Zurich), D Liénard(Hôpital Orthopédique de la Suisse Romande), J C Cerottini(Ludwig Cancer Research), J Tschopp(University of Lausanne)
Cited by 1,265
Abstract
Malignant melanoma accounts for most of the increasing mortality from skin cancer. Melanoma cells were found to express Fas (also called Apo-1 or CD95) ligand (FasL). In metastatic lesions, Fas-expressing T cell infiltrates were proximal to FasL+ tumor cells. In vitro, apoptosis of Fas-sensitive target cells occurred upon incubation with melanoma tumor cells; and in vivo, injection of FasL+ mouse melanoma cells in mice led to rapid tumor formation. In contrast, tumorigenesis was delayed in Fas-deficient lpr mutant mice in which immune effector cells cannot be killed by FasL. Thus, FasL may contribute to the immune privilege of tumors.