Figure 1 .

Western blot analysis for the activation of caspase-3/-8/-9 in synovial cells induced by anti-Fas IgM, which is inhibited by TGFß1. Synovial cells isolated from the rheumatoid synovial tissues were cultured with or without TGFß1 for 48 hours, washed, and further incubated with control mouse IgM or anti-Fas IgM for 12 hours. After cultivation, the expression of procaspase-3/-8/-9 in synovial cells was examined by western blotting as described in the text. Note that the disappearance of procaspase-3/-8/-9 in anti-Fas IgM treated synovial cells, which indicates the activation of each caspase, was significantly inhibited by TGFß1 treatment. Results are representative data from six determinations. anti-Fas IgM (-); addition of control mouse IgM.