Expression of Fas but not Fas ligand on fetal pig beta cells.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine whether fetal pig insulin-producing cells, a potential source of transplantable tissue for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, are affected by the Fas-FasL interaction, one of the cytotoxic pathways involved in T-cell-mediated autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.

METHODS

Expression of Fas/FasL on fetal pig beta cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, Western blot, and RT-PCR. Apoptosis of fetal pig beta cells induced by soluble FasL (sFasL) or anti-Fas antibody (APO-1) was detected by flow cytometry using PI. Expression of FLIP on fetal pig pancreatic tissue was detected by immunofluorescent staining and Western blot.

RESULTS

Fas was expressed on fetal pig pancreatic cells, both beta and non-beta cells, and the level of expression could be upregulated by exposure to human interleukin-1beta (IL1beta) 2000 pg/ml for 24 h. In contrast, FasL was not detected on fetal pig pancreatic cells but could be induced on both beta and non-beta cells when the cells were treated with IL1beta. Fas persisted on fetal pig beta cells transplanted as islet-like cell clusters into severe combined immunodeficient mice, with expression of this antigen at all times examined, 1 day, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. FasL was absent. Despite the presence of Fas on fetal pig beta cells, addition of sFasL or anti-Fas antibody failed to induce apoptosis of the fetal pig beta cells. In contrast, pig lymphocytes, which express Fas, were destroyed by addition of both sFasL and APO-1. A possible reason for this is the expression on the fetal pig pancreatic cells of FLIP, an inhibitor of Fas-induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Fetal pig beta cells are resistant to Fas-FasL destruction. Our data imply that fetal pig beta cells transplanted into humans with type 1 diabetes may not be destroyed by activated T cells through the Fas-FasL-mediated pathway.