Fas is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor superfamily and plays a key role in the physiological regulation of programmed cell death. This receptor contains a death domain which enables the formation of a signaling complex that includes Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), caspase 8, and caspase 10. The auto-proteolytic processing of these complexed caspases triggers a downstream cascade that leads to membrane-mediated apoptosis. Fas also appears to activate NF-kB. The functional impairment of the Fas and Fas Ligand system is associated with the development and progression of malignancies and immune system diseases.
Immunohistochemistry-Paraffin: Fas Antibody
Some Fas gene mutations have been implicated in testicular germ cell tumors. Specifically the Fas Ligand plays a significant role in local tissue destruction, metastatic spread, and immune escape of tumor cells. Apoptosis of lymphocytes - which occurs in autoimmune diseases - is usually induced by the Fas/Fas Ligand system. London researchers with the Whitehall II study used the Fas antibody in their gene-centric BeadChip studies on downstream blood lipid and apolipoprotein signaling1. This broad study identified multiple common alleles that made key contributions to distinguishable differences relevant to lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Liu et al relied upon the Fas antibody for their identification of Fas/FasL-depending signaling (but not the intrinsic pathway) for apoptosis in myxoma, the most common primary heart tumor2. Horuz’ lab employed the Fas antibody to evaluate the role of TNF-associated cytokines in urinary stone formation3.
Their data suggests that oxalate-induced apoptosis requires both TNF and FAS pathways, but not those of TRAIL nor TRAIL-R2. Additionally, the Fas antibody allowed Lin’s group to investigate the shielding effects of weekly disposable contact lenses against UV irradiation on mouse corneas4. Their mouse model demonstrates protective effects of the lenses, and holds promise as a system for future in vivo assessments of UV shielding.
Novus Biologicals offers Fas reagents for your research needs including:
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