The Fas/Fas-ligand system is not required for bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice

Recent studies suggest that Fas-Fas-ligand (FasL) interactions play an important role in the development of lung injury and fibrosis. However, evidence to support this concept is still indirect. To determine whether Fas-FasL interaction is required for the development of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice, we used Fas-deficient (Ipr) and FasL-deficient (gld) mice as animal models. After intratracheal instillation of bleomycin, we examined the lungs of mice through bronchoalveolar lavage, histologic studies, DNA nick-end labeling, and hydroxyproline assay. The development of cellular infiltrates, bronchiolar and alveolar epithelial apoptosis, and fibrosis following bleomycin instillation in the lungs in Ipr mice and gld mice was similar to their development in wildtype mice. The results of this study show that bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis does not require Fas-FasL interaction, and that epithelial cell apoptosis after bleomycin exposure is mediated by Fas-independent pathways.