Human Fas ligand extracellular domain: current status of biochemical characterization, engineered-derivatives production, and medical applications

Human Fas ligand extracellular domain (hFasLECD) is a soluble protein agent with significant relevance to medicine because of the immunologically essential functions of parental membrane-bound Fas ligand (CD95L, CD178) in the human body. This paper aimed to overview the current status of the studies focused on hFasLECD, ranging from its fundamental molecular properties and biological activity to its potential as a novel, practical cell death-inducing therapeutics or a diseases biomarker. The main part of this review was divided into four sections, the background of biological functions of human Fas ligand, the fundamental biochemical characteristics of hFasLECD, the production of engineered hFasLECD derivatives, and the potential of hFasLECD for medical applications. The translation of hFasLECD into an established agent in medicine is in progress, based on the clinical use-oriented research works in the relevant fields of basic science and engineering.