Resistance of SKW6 cell to apoptosis induction with anti-Fas antibody upon transduction of a reverse fragment to a cDNA encoding human 6A8 α-mannosidase

The effect of transduction with a reverse fragment to a cDNA encoding human 6A8 ?-mannosidase on apoptosis induction of human B cell line SKW6 by anti-Fas antibody was tested. Apoptosis-inducer of anti-Fas monoclonal antibody was used to induce apoptosis in SKW6 cells. Giemsa’s staining, Annexin-V-FLUOS staining and DNA ladder test were used to determine the events of apoptosis. Indirect immunofluorescent staining with anti-Fas antibody was performed to detect the surface Fas expression. In a time-course test of 12, 24 and 36 h for apoptosis induction by anti-Fas antibody, DNA ladder was observed in the wild-type SKW6 cells in a time-dependent fashion. Mock transduction had no effect on DNA ladder production. However, no DNA ladder was detected in the rAAV-antisense 6A8 cDNA-transduced SKW6. Results from Annexin-V-FLUOS staining on anti-Fas antibody-treated cells revealed that the staining-positive rate in the rAAV-antisense 6A8 cDNA-transduced SKW6 cells was decreased in comparison to that in the wild-type and the mock-transduced cells. Giemsa’s staining observation showed that the number of dying (with apoptotic bodies) and dead cells was reduced in the rAAV-antisense 6A8 cDNA-transduced SKW6 cells in comparison with that in the wild-type and the mock-transduced cells upon anti-Fas antibody induction. The transduction did not affect the expression of Fas molecular on cell surface. 100% cells in all the groups showed Fas expression. The SKW6 cells became resistant to apoptosis induction by anti-Fas antibody upon transduction with a reverse fragment to a cDNA encoding human 6A8 a-mannosidase. The transduction did not affect the expression of Fas molecule on cells.     

Resistance of SKW6 cell to apoptosis induction with anti-Fas antibody upon transduction of a reverse fragment to a cDNA encoding human 6A8 α-mannosidase

The effect of transduction with a reverse fragment to a cDNA encoding human 6A8 α-mannosidase on apoptosis induction of human B cell line SKW6 by anti-Fas antibody was tested. Apoptosis-inducer of anti-Fas monoclonal antibody was used to induce apoptosis in SKW6 cells. Giemsa’s staining, Annexin-V-FLUOS staining and DNA ladder test were used to determine the events of apoptosis. Indirect immunofluorescent staining with anti-Fas antibody was performed to detect the surface Fas expression. In a time-course test of 12, 24 and 36 h for apoptosis induction by anti-Fas antibody, DNA ladder was observed in the wild-type SKW6 cells in a time-dependent fashion. Mock transduction had no effect on DNA ladder production. However, no DNA ladder was detected in the rAAV-antisense 6A8 cDNA-transduced SKW6. Results from Annexin-V-FLUOS staining on anti-Fas antibody-treated cells revealed that the staining-positive rate in the rAAV-antisense 6A8 cDNA-transduced SKW6 cells was decreased in comparison to that in the wild-type and the mock-transduced cells. Giemsa’s staining observation showed that the number of dying (with apoptotic bodies) and dead cells was reduced in the rAAV-antisense 6A8 cDNA-transduced SKW6 cells in comparison with that in the wild-type and the mock-transduced cells upon anti-Fas antibody induction. The transduction did not affect the expression of Fas molecular on cell surface. 100% cells in all the groups showed Fas expression. The SKW6 cells became resistant to apoptosis induction by anti-Fas antibody upon transduction with a reverse fragment to a cDNA encoding human 6A8 α-mannosidase. The transduction did not affect the expression of Fas molecule on cells.     

Ceramide does not inhibit protein kinase C β-dependent phospholipase D activity stimulated by anti-Fas monoclonal antibody in A20 cells

We have investigated the roles of ceramide in Fas signalling leading to phospholipase D (PLD) activation in A20 cells. Upon stimulation of Fas signalling by anti-Fas monoclonal antibody, sphingomyelin hydrolysis and activation of PLD were induced. Also, the translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) βI and βII and the elevation of diacylglycerol (DAG) content were induced by Fas cross-linking. When phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) was inhibited by D609, the Fas-induced changes in PLD activity, DAG content, and PKC translocation were inhibited. In contrast, D609 had no effect on Fas-induced alterations in sphingolipid metabolism, suggesting that changes in ceramide content do not account for Fas-induced PLD activation. Furthermore, C6-ceramide had no effect on Fas-induced PLD activation and PKC translocation. Taken together, these data might suggest that ceramide generated by Fas cross-linking does not affect PKC β-dependent PLD activity stimulated by anti-Fas monoclonal antibody in A20 cells.     

Phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C-mediated induction of phospholipase D activity in Fas-expressing murine cells

We have previously reported that Fas cross-linking resulted in the activation of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) and the subsequent activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and phospholipase D (PLD) in A20 cells. In an attempt to correlate the existence of PC-PLC activity and activation of PLD by Fas activation among various Fas-expressing murine cell lines, we have investigated the effect of anti-Fas monoclonal antibody on PC-PLC and PLD activities in A20, P388D1 and YAC-1 cell lines. Upon treatment of anti-Fas monoclonal antibody to these three cell lines, the activation of PLD was only observed in A20 cells. When the effect of anti-Fas monoclonal antibody on PKC and PC-PLC activities in Fas-expressing clones were investigated, the activation of PKC and PC-PLC was detected only in A20 clones. Results presented here also show that exogenous addition of Bacillus cereus PC-PLC activates PC hydrolysis, PKC and PLD in all three murine cell lines. These findings suggest that the activation of PC-PLC is a necessary requirement for the activation of PLD by Fas cross-linking and cell lines devoid of functional PC-PLC activity could exhibit enhanced PLD activity by exogenous addition of PC-PLC.     

The polypeptide encoded by the cDNA for human cell surface antigen Fas can mediate apoptosis.

Mouse anti-Fas monoclonal antibody has a cytolytic activity on human cells that express the antigen. Complementary DNAs encoding the cell surface antigen Fas were isolated from a cDNA library of human T cell lymphoma KT-3 cells. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNAs revealed that the molecule coding for the Fas antigen determinant is a 319 amino acid polypeptide (Mr 36,000) with a single transmembrane domain. The extracellular domain is rich in cysteine residue, and shows a similarity to that of human tumor necrosis factor receptors, human nerve growth factor receptor, and human B cell antigen CD40. Murine WR19L cells or L929 cells transformed with the human Fas antigen cDNA were killed by the anti-Fas antibody in the process known as apoptosis.     

Fas cross-linking induces apoptosis in human airway smooth muscle cells

Hypertrophy and hyperplasia lead to excess accumulation of smooth muscle in the airways of human asthmatic subjects. However, little is known about mechanisms that might counterbalance these processes, thereby limiting the quantity of smooth muscle in airways. Ligation of Fas on the surface of vascular smooth muscle cells and nonmuscle airway cells can lead to apoptotic cell death. We therefore tested the hypotheses that 1) human airway smooth muscle (HASM) expresses Fas, 2) Fas cross-linking induces apoptosis in these cells, and 3) tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha potentiates Fas-mediated airway myocyte killing. Immunohistochemistry using CH-11 anti-Fas monoclonal IgM antibody revealed Fas expression in normal human bronchial smooth muscle in vivo. Flow cytometry using DX2 anti-Fas monoclonal IgG antibody revealed that passage 4 cultured HASM cells express surface Fas. Surface Fas decreased partially during prolonged serum deprivation of cultured HASM cells and was upregulated by TNF-alpha stimulation. Fas cross-linking with CH-11 antibody induced apoptosis in cultured HASM cells, and this effect was reduced by long-term serum deprivation and synergistically potentiated by concomitant TNF-alpha exposure. TNF-alpha did not induce substantial apoptosis in the absence of Fas cross-linking. These data represent the first demonstration that Fas is expressed on HASM and suggest a mechanism by which Fas-mediated apoptosis could act to oppose excess smooth muscle accumulation during airway remodeling in asthma.     

Apoptosis by a cytosolic extract from Fas-activated cells.

Fas is a type I membrane protein and its activation by binding of the Fas ligand or an agonistic anti-Fas antibody induces apoptosis in Fas-bearing cells. In this report we prepared lysates from cells treated with anti-Fas antibody. The lysates induced apoptotic morphological changes in nuclei from normal mouse liver, accompanied by DNA degradation. The apoptosis-inducing activity was quickly generated in cells by anti-Fas antibody and was found in the soluble cytosolic fraction. Induction of the activity in cells was inhibited by a tetrapeptide, acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-chloromethylketone, a specific inhibitor of interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme. Addition of COS cell lysates containing Bcl-2 to the assay significantly inhibited the apoptotic process, indicating that the in vitro process reflected apoptosis that occurs in intact cells.     

Ceramide does not inhibit protein kinase C beta-dependent phospholipase D activity stimulated by anti-Fas monoclonal antibody in A20 cells

We have investigated the roles of ceramide in Fas signalling leading to phospholipase D (PLD) activation in A20 cells. Upon stimulation of Fas signalling by anti-Fas monoclonal antibody, sphingomyelin hydrolysis and activation of PLD were induced. Also, the translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) betaI and betaII and the elevation of diacylglycerol (DAG) content were induced by Fas cross-linking. When phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) was inhibited by D609, the Fas-induced changes in PLD activity, DAG content, and PKC translocation were inhibited. In contrast, D609 had no effect on Fas-induced alterations in sphingolipid metabolism, suggesting that changes in ceramide content do not account for Fas-induced PLD activation. Furthermore, C6-ceramide had no effect on Fas-induced PLD activation and PKC translocation. Taken together, these data might suggest that ceramide generated by Fas cross-linking does not affect PKC beta-dependent PLD activity stimulated by anti-Fas monoclonal antibody in A20 cells.     

Fas-Mediated apoptosis is inhibited by TSH and iodine in moderate concentrations in primary human thyrocytes in vitro.

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) can be found in normal thyroid tissue and in various diseases affecting the thyroid gland. The Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system is involved in the induction of apoptosis in human thyrocytes. Cross-linking the Fas receptor with its own ligand or with an antibody capable of oligomerizing with the receptor induces programmed cell death. We investigated the role of Fas-induced apoptosis in primary human thyrocytes in vitro. Cell cultures of normal human thyrocytes were prepared from specimens obtained during surgery for uninodular goiter. Apoptosis was induced by incubation of the cells with a monoclonal IgM anti-Fas antibody. The presence of apoptosis was determined by FACS analysis of FITC-labelled annexin V binding combined with dye exclusion of propidium iodide. We found a significant rate of Fas-induced apoptosis in normal thyrocytes after activation with a monoclonal anti-Fas antibody. TSH was able to inhibit Fas-mediated apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was more pronounced when thyrocytes were incubated in the presence of interferon-gamma. Low concentrations of iodine were able to inhibit apoptosis, while high concentrations of iodine increased the rate of Fas-induced apoptosis. Our results show that Fas-mediated apoptosis is inducible in normal human thyrocytes in vitro and is influenced by TSH and iodine. The Fas/FasL system may play an important role in the regulation of cell number within the thyroid gland, and may be involved in the processes leading to goiter in iodine deficiency.     

Fas-mediated activation of phospholipase D is coupled to the stimulation of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C in A20 cells.

The activation of phospholipase D in murine B cell lymphoma A20 cells treated with anti-Fas monoclonal antibody has been investigated. Fas cross-linking resulted in a both dose- and time-dependent increases in phospholipase D activity. There was a nearly maximum saturated rise in phospholipase D activity at the dose of 200 ng/ml anti-Fas monoclonal antibody showing a fourfold increase within 3 h. Fas activation also caused an approximately twofold increase of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C activity and 1,2-diacylglycerol release, which could be blocked by 30 min pretreatment with the phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C inhibitor D609 (50 microgram/ml). Pretreatment of D609 also effectively inhibited the translocation of protein kinase C betaI and betaII from the cytosol to the membrane and the activation of phospholipase D induced by Fas cross-linking, suggesting that 1, 2-diacylglycerol released from the cellular phosphatidylcholine pool through phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C plays a major role in protein kinase C/phospholipase D activation. Anti-Fas monoclonal antibody failed to elicit phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C activation and any changes in the intracellular Ca2+ level in A20 cells, indicating that the phosphoinositide-mediated pathway is not involved in this Fas signaling. Therefore, these results suggest that Fas-mediated phospholipase D activation may be a consequence of primary stimulation of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C and that phospholipase D may play a role in Fas cross-linking signaling downstream from phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C.     

Synthesis of immunoisolation barriers that provide localized immunosuppression for encapsulated pancreatic islets

Pancreatic islet encapsulation into synthetic, passive material matrixes can provide protection for transplanted islets from destruction via cell-contacted mediated interactions with autoreactive immune cells for treatment of Type I diabetes mellitus. However, one of the fundamental deficiencies with current encapsulation technology is that passive material barriers cannot protect islets from exposure to cytokines and other small, diffusible cytotoxic molecules produced by activated immune cells, subsequently leading to beta-cell destruction. Preparation of material matrixes that can actively provide localized immunosuppression of autoreactive immune cells may prolong the viability, and hence function, of encapsulated islet grafts. We have demonstrated the ability to conjugate apoptosis-inducing anti-Fas monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the surfaces of poly(ethylene glycol)-modified hydrogels, providing a surface that actively attempts to locally down-regulate the autoimmune response by destroying autoreactive T cells against pancreatic islet cells. We have conjugated anti-Fas MAbs to a high degree to the surface of these hydrogels, with retention of anti-Fas recognition of the Fas antigen as shown by ELISA testing. Apoptosis induction of Fas-sensitive Jurkat T cells was enhanced in the presence of anti-Fas conjugated hydrogels. In addition, this apoptosis induction was specific to anti-Fas MAbs, with no apoptosis induction with control antibodies or with Fas-insensitive T cells. These experiments promote the concept that surface-conjugated hydrogel constructs can provide localized immunosuppression for encapsulated grafted tissue.     

DNA fragmentation and cell death is selectively triggered in activated human lymphocytes by Fas antigen engagement.

Fas is a mouse monoclonal antibody-defined cell surface antigen of an unknown physiologic function. Previous studies demonstrated that the anti-Fas antibody mediated apoptosis in those cells sensitive to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and, further, triggered the co-downregulation of tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNF-Rs). These findings led to speculation that Fas may be associated with TNF-Rs. The present studies were undertaken as an extension of our previous work on the obligate requirement for TNF in development and maintenance of cytotoxic lymphocytes and were designed to analyze the expression and consequences of Fas engagement in these cells. Herein, we demonstrate that, in contrast to TNF-R expression, both resting and IL-2-activated lymphocytes express Fas. In accordance with previous studies using tumor cell lines, lymphocytes rapidly downregulate TNF-Rs after treatment with anti-Fas. The ability of anti-Fas to mediate apoptotic cell death in lymphocytes, however, was dependent upon the status of cellular activation. For example, lymphocytes activated in IL-2 for longer than 4 days underwent rapid DNA fragmentation and cell death after anti-Fas treatment. Despite their expression of Fas, nonactivated lymphocytes and those activated for periods less than 4 days were refractory to antibody-mediated cell killing. Because anti-Fas-mediated lethality is selective for chronically activated lymphocytes, Fas may prove to be an appropriate target for immunosuppressive intervention.     

Transfer of Fas (CD95) protein from the cell surface to the surface of polystyrene beads coated with anti-Fas antibody clone CH-11

Mouse monoclonal anti-Fas (CD95) antibody clone CH-11 has been widely used in research on apoptosis. CH-11 has the ability to bind to Fas protein on cell surface and induce apoptosis. Here, we used polystyrene beads coated with CH-11 to investigate the role of lipid rafts in Fas-mediated apoptosis in SKW6.4 cells. Unexpectedly, by treatment of the cells with CH-11-coated beads Fas protein was detached from cell surface and transferred to the surface of CH-11-coated beads. Western blot analysis showed that Fas protein containing both extracellular and intracellular domains was attached to the beads. Fas protein was not transferred from the cells to the surface of the beads coated with other anti-Fas antibodies or Fas ligand. Similar phenomenon was observed in Jurkat T cells. Furthermore, CH-11-induced apoptosis was suppressed by pretreatment with CH-11-coated beads in Jurkat cells. These results suggest that CH-11 might possess distinct properties on Fas protein compared with other anti-Fas antibodies or Fas ligand, and also suggest that caution should be needed to use polystyrene beads coated with antibodies such as CH-11.Key words: Fas, CD95, CH-11, apoptosis, Fas ligand, polystyrene beads.     

Possible role of fas antigen (CD 95) in human amniotic epithelial cell death: an in vitro study

Treatment of human amniotic epithelial (HAE) cells with anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (CH 11) at 100 ng/ml or 1 microg/ml for 12 or 24 h increased necrotic cell death. Apoptotic cell death induced by this antibody was significantly increased, although far fewer cells underwent apoptosis, as determined by the TUNEL method. This study suggests that Fas antigen is an important mediator in HAE cell death.     

切割Fas mRNA核酶的构建及其体内外切割活性的鉴定

白血病细胞表面可高表达FasL ,诱导表达Fas的T细胞凋亡 ,从而降低其抗白血病的作用 .以高表达Fas的小鼠淋巴瘤细胞系Yac 1作为模型 ,设计并合成了针对FasmRNA 5 96位点的锤头状核酶基因 ,用T7/SP6体外转录系统检测了该核酶对FasmRNA的体外切割效率 ,通过电穿孔转染法将其导入Yac 1细胞 ,通过RT PCR、Western印迹法检测细胞上Fas的表达 .细胞经抗Fas的抗体作用后 ,通过MTT法测细胞的增殖 ,annexin Ⅴ凋亡检测试剂盒测细胞凋亡 .该核酶体外切割活性达6 0 % ,且能有效降低细胞表面Fas的表达 ;细胞经抗Fas的抗体作用后 ,转染核酶的细胞增殖活性较对照增高 ,而凋亡率明显降低 .结果表明 ,构建的切割FasmRNA核酶在体内外均具备良好的切割FasmRNA的活性 ,使细胞免于Fas途径的凋亡 ,为研究抑制T细胞的凋亡从而增强其抗白血病效应提供实验基础 .     

The drug resistance proteins, multidrug resistance-associated protein and P-glycoprotein, do not confer resistance to Fas-induced cell death

BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistance (MDR) is mediated by the drug resistance proteins, the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) and P-glycoprotein, both of which confer resistance by the active efflux of chemotherapeutic drugs from the cell. Reduced Fas (CD95/APO-1) expression and resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis have also been correlated with P-glycoprotein-mediated MDR. METHODS: We investigated cell surface Fas expression (using anti-Fas monoclonal antibody DX2.1) in a series of MRP-expressing drug-resistant leukemia sublines, and P-glycoprotein-expressing leukemia sublines, and their susceptibility to apoptosis induced by anti-Fas treatment (CH-11 monoclonal antibody). Caspase-3 activation was detected by Western blot and apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry with 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) staining of cells. RESULTS: Fas expression was not reduced in either the MRP- or P-glycoprotein-expressing drug-resistant cell lines, although expression was reduced by 15% in one low-level drug-resistant subline. Expression of MRP or P-glycoprotein did not confer resistance to caspase-3 activation or to anti-Fas-induced cell death. CONCLUSIONS: MDR mediated by the drug transport proteins MRP and P-glycoprotein does not correlate with resistance to Fas-mediated cell death or resistance to caspase-3 activation.     

A novel signaling mechanism for soluble CD95 ligand. Synergy with anti-CD95 monoclonal antibodies for apoptosis and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation

Soluble CD95 (Fas) ligand (sFasL) is known to be deficient in transducing signals upon engagement with membrane Fas. Here we report that sFasL tranduces, in synergy with non-cytotoxic anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (mAb), signals for apoptosis and nuclear translocation of the NF-kappaB (p65/p50) heterodimer. Activation of the specific signaling pathways correlates with target Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme inhibitory protein expression. Synergy with anti-Fas mAb was demonstrated with a trimeric unit of sFasL bearing a single binding site for Fas trimer. In contrast, membrane-bound FasL as expressed on cell-derived vesicles was fully competent in transducing Fas-mediated signals for apoptosis and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation. We propose a model in which the trimeric sFasL signaling requires target expression of a high focal density of Fas, which is induced by the signaling-incompetent anti-Fas mAb. Membrane-bound FasL induces powerful Fas-mediated signals because it possesses both Fas-focusing and signal-transducing functions.     

IL-10 protects mouse intestinal epithelial cells from Fas-induced apoptosis via modulating Fas expression and altering caspase-8 and FLIP expression

We have previously shown that the absence of Fas/Fas ligand significantly reduced tissue damage and intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) apoptosis in an in vivo model of T cell-mediated enteropathy. This enteropathy was more severe in IL-10-deficient mice, and this was associated with increased serum levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha and an increase in Fas expression on IECs. In this study, we investigated the potential of IL-10 to directly influence Fas expression and Fas-induced IEC apoptosis. Mouse intestinal epithelial cell lines MODE-K and IEC4.1 were cultured with IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, or anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (mAb) in the presence or absence of IL-10. Fas expression and apoptosis were determined by FACScan analysis of phycoerythrin-anti-Fas mAb staining and annexin V staining, respectively. Treatment with a combination of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha induced significant apoptosis. Anti-Fas mAb alone did not induce much apoptosis unless cells were pretreated with IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. These IECs constitutively expressed low levels of Fas, which significantly increased by preincubation of the cells with IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. Treatment with cytokine or cytokine plus anti-Fas mAb increased apoptosis, which correlated with a decreased Fas-associated death domain IL-1-converting enzyme-like inhibitory protein (FLIP) level, increased caspase-8 activity, and subsequently increased caspase-3 activity. IL-10 diminished both cytokine- and anti-Fas mAb-induced apoptosis, and this was correlated with decreased cytokine-induced Fas expression, increased FLIP, and decreased caspase-8 and caspase-3 activity. In conclusion, IL-10 modulated cytokine induction of Fas expression on IEC cell lines and regulated IEC susceptibility to TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and Fas-mediated apoptosis. These findings suggest that IL-10 directly modulates IEC responses to T cell-mediated apoptotic signals.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and Fas activate complementary Fas-associated death domain-dependent pathways that enhance apoptosis induced by gamma-irradiation

Activation of either tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 or Fas induces a low level of programmed cell death in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. We have shown that LNCaP cells are entirely resistant to gamma-radiation-induced apoptosis, but can be sensitized to irradiation by TNF-alpha. Fas activation also sensitized LNCaP cells to irradiation, causing nearly 40% cell death 72 h after irradiation. Caspase-8 was cleaved and activated after exposure to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. However, after exposure to anti-Fas antibody caspase-8 cleavage occurred only between the 26-kDa N-terminal prodomain and the 28-kDa C-terminal region that contains the protease components. Although anti-Fas antibody plus irradiation induced apoptosis that could be blocked by the pancaspase inhibitor zVAD, there was no measurable caspase-8 activity after exposure to anti-Fas antibody. The effector caspases-6 and -7, and to a lesser extent caspase-3, were activated by TNF-alpha, but not by anti-Fas antibody. Anti-Fas antibody, like TNF-alpha also activated serine proteases that contributed to cell death. Exposure of LNCaP cells simultaneously to TNF-alpha and anti-Fas antibody CH-11 resulted in marked enhancement of apoptosis that occurred very rapidly and was still further augmented by irradiation. Rapid apoptosis that ensued from combined treatment with TNF-alpha, anti-Fas antibody, and irradiation was completely blocked either by zVAD or expression of dominant negative Fas-associated death domain. Our data shows that there are qualitative differences in caspase activation resulting from either TNF receptor 1 or Fas. Simultaneous activation of these receptors was synergistic and caused rapid epithelial cell apoptosis mediated by the caspase cascade.