Targeted mutation in the Fas gene causes hyperplasia in peripheral lymphoid organs and liver

Fas, a type I membrane protein that transduces an apoptotic signal, is expressed in lymphocytes as well as in various tissues such as the liver, lung and heart. The mouse lymphoproliferation ( lpr ) mutation is a leaky mutation in Fas . By means of gene targeting, we generated a mouse strain which is completely deficient in Fas . In addition to the massive production of lymphocytes, the Fas –null mice showed substantial liver hyperplasia, which was accompanied by the enlargement of nuclei in hepatocytes. The Fas system seems to play a role in the apoptotic process to maintain homeostasis of the liver as well as the peripheral lymphoid organs.