Fas–Fas ligand pathway (mediating T-cell apoptosis) (Fas/FasL pathway)

Pathogenic T-cell apoptosis" is not the name of a specific molecule or receptor but rather describes a **biological process** in which pathogenic T cells are eliminated through programmed cell death. The most relevant molecular target mediating this process is the **Fas–Fas ligand (Fas/FasL) pathway**, which plays a central role in regulating immune homeostasis by inducing apoptosis in activated or autoreactive T cells. The **extrinsic apoptotic pathway** involves the binding of Fas ligand (a protein expressed on cytotoxic and regulatory immune cells) to its receptor, Fas/CD95, on the surface of target T cells. This interaction recruits adaptor proteins such as FADD and initiates caspase activation cascades—primarily caspase 8—leading to cell death without causing inflammation[1][2][4]. This mechanism ensures deletion of potentially harmful self-reactive lymphocytes during development and contraction of expanded effector populations after an immune response. Defects or dysregulation in this apoptotic machinery can result in accumulation of pathogenic autoreactive T cells and contribute to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis[1]. Conversely, excessive activation may lead to immunodeficiency. Because "Pathogenic T-cell apoptosis" refers to a process rather than an individual druggable entity or canonical molecular target, it does not have standard abbreviations, aliases beyond those for its key mediators (such as "Fas", "CD95", "APO1"), nor direct interacting drugs specifically targeting it as an isolated entity. Instead, therapeutic strategies often aim at modulating components like the Fas/FasL system. **Note:** If you require structured information for database purposes about actual drug targets involved in this process—for example "Fas receptor" or "Caspase 8"—those should be specified individually. As written ("Pathogenic T-cell apoptosis"), this entry is too broad and not itself a canonical molecular target; thus `is_incorrect` is set to true.[1][2][4]

Other names

Fas–Fas ligand interactionCD95/CD95L pathwayDeath receptor-mediated apoptosis