What is the Role of the Fas Receptor in the Immune System?
The Fas receptor is crucial for the regulation of the immune system, particularly in the process of peripheral tolerance. It ensures the elimination of autoreactive T and B cells that escape deletion during development in the thymus and bone marrow, respectively. Additionally, Fas-mediated apoptosis plays a role in the shutdown of immune responses, allowing the immune system to return to a resting state after an infection has been cleared. This prevents excessive and prolonged immune activation, which can lead to tissue damage.
