Frontiers in Immunology (Nov 2018)

Non-apoptotic Fas (CD95) Signaling on T Cells Regulates the Resolution of Th2-Mediated Inflammation

  • Jesse W. Williams,
  • Caroline M. Ferreira,
  • Kelly M. Blaine,
  • Crystal Rayon,
  • Francisco Velázquez,
  • Jiankun Tong,
  • Marcus E. Peter,
  • Anne I. Sperling,
  • Anne I. Sperling,
  • Anne I. Sperling

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2018.02521
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Fas (CD95/APO-1) and its ligand (FasL/CD95L) promote the resolution of type 2 lung inflammation and eosinophilia. We previously found that Fas-deficiency on T cells, but not eosinophils, delayed resolution of inflammation. However, Fas can signal both cell death and have a positive signaling function that can actually activate cells. In this study, we investigated whether Fas-induced death or Fas-activated signaling pathways promote resolution of allergic lung inflammation. By increasing T cell survival through two Fas-independent pathways, using Bim-deficient T cells or Bcl-xL overexpressing T cells, no differences in resolution of Th2-mediated inflammation was observed. Furthermore, Th2 cells were inherently resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis and preferentially signaled through non-apoptotic pathways following FasL treatment. Utilizing Fas-mutant mice deficient in apoptotic but sufficient for non-apoptotic Fas signaling pathways, we demonstrate that non-apoptotic Fas signaling in T cells drives resolution of Th2-mediated airway inflammation. Our findings reveal a previously unknown role for non-apoptotic Fas signaling on Th2 cells in the induction of resolution of type 2 inflammation.

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