Constitutively expressed Fas ligand (FasL) in several distinct epithelial cell types appears to protect tissues by inducing apoptosis of Fas+ immune cells during inflammatory reactions. To study the rela-tionship of FasL and inflammation process in cornea,we examined the effects of inflammatory cytokine IL-1β on the FasL production,expression and cytotoxic function in corneal endothelial cells. In this paper,we demonstrate that IL-1β inhibits the FasL production and expression in corneal endothelial cells. The promoter activities of FasL in these cells are reduced by IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner. Finally,we also find that IL-1β block the cytotoxic effects of FasL derived from corneal endothelial cells to the Fas+ target cells. These data support the view that FasL derived from corneal endothelial cells modulate inflammation within cornea.
