The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor (TNFR) superfamily comprises more than 20 type-I transmembrane proteins that are structurally related in their extracellular domains and specifically activated by the corresponding superfamily of TNF-like ligands. Members of this receptor superfamily are widely distributed and play important roles in many crucial biological processes such as lymphoid and...

BACKGROUND The Apo-1/Fas (CD95) molecule is an apoptosis-signaling cell surface receptor belonging to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family. Both Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) are expressed in activated mature T cells, and prolonged cell activation induces susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis. The Apo-1/Fas gene is located in a chromosomal region that shows linkage in multiple scleros...

Cytokines are polypeptide growth factors produced by most nucleated cells in the body, including epithelial cells, keratinocytes, and Langerhans cells in the skin. Cytokines can be classified into interleukins, tumor necrosis factors, chemokines, colony-stimulating factor, interferons, and growth factors. Like classic hormones, cytokines bind to specific receptors to transmit their messages to ...

1. Rathbun RK, Christianson TA, Faulkner GR, et al. Interferon-g-induced apoptotic responses of Fanconi anemia group C hematopoietic progenitor cells involve caspase 8-dependent activation of caspase 3 family members. Blood. 2000;96:4204-4211. 2. Rathbun RK, Faulkner GR, Ostroski MH, et al. Inactivation of the Fanconi anemia group C (FAC) gene augments interferon-gamma-induced apoptotic respons...

1. Rathbun RK, Christianson TA, Faulkner GR, et al. Interferon-g-induced apoptotic responses of Fanconi anemia group C hematopoietic progenitor cells involve caspase 8-dependent activation of caspase 3 family members. Blood. 2000;96:4204-4211. 2. Rathbun RK, Faulkner GR, Ostroski MH, et al. Inactivation of the Fanconi anemia group C (FAC) gene augments interferon-gamma-induced apoptotic respons...

Mouse cyclophilin C-associated protein (CyCAP) is a member of the scavenger-receptor cysteine-rich domain superfamily and is 69% identical to the human Mac-2 binding protein. Here, we show that CyCAP is a widely expressed secreted glycoprotein that modulates the host response to endotoxin. Gene-targeted CyCAP-deficient mice are more sensitive to the lethal effects of endotoxin. In response to e...

Members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily play key roles in innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we review recent structural studies in the intracellular signal transduction of these receptors. A central theme revealed from these structural studies is that upon ligand binding, multiple intracellular proteins form higher-order signaling machines to transduce and amplify receptor a...

Human osteoclast formation from mononuclear phagocyte precursors involves interactions between tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand superfamily members and their receptors. Recent evidence indicates that in addition to triggering apoptosis, the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces osteoclast differentiation. To understand TRAIL-mediated signal transduction mechanism in osteoclast...

Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is expressed in T lymphocytes, and exerts an anti-apoptotic function in these cells. We reported that GITR is also highly expressed in the skin, specifically in keratinocytes, and that it is under negative transcriptional control of p21(Cip1/WAF1), independently from the c...