AIM:To investigate the effects of anti-Fas ribozyme onFas expression and apoptosis in primary cultured mousehepatocytes.METHODS:Mouse hepatocytes were isolated by usingcollagenase irrigation.A hammerhead ribozyme targetingthe Fas mRNA was constructed,and transfected into mousehepatocytes via Effectene.Then Fas expression in mousehepatocytes was detected by RT-PCR and western blotting.After being treated with anti-Fas antibody(JO_2),hepatocytesviability was measured with MTT assay.Caspase-3 proteolyticactivity was detected,and cell apoptosis was measuredaccording to Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit.RESULTS:Fas expressed in primary mouse hepatocytes.Fas expression in hepatocytes transfected with anti-Fasribozyme was decreased remarkably and correlated withthe resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis as determinedby flow cytometry and caspase-3 proteolytic activity.CONCLUSION:Anti-Fas ribozyme can remarkably decreasethe Fas expression in mouse hepatocytes,thus inhibit Fas-mediated apoptosis in hepatocytes.It is suggested thatanti-Fas ribozyme could significantly increase the resistanceof transplanted hepatocytes to apoptosis and improve thesurvival of transplanted hepatocytes. AIM: To investigate the effects of anti-Fas ribozyme on Fas expression and apoptosis in primary cultured mousehepatocytes. METHODS: Mouse hepatocytes were isolated by using col- lagenase irrigation. A hammerhead ribozyme targeting the Fas mRNA was constructed, and transfected into mousehepatocytes via Effectene. Top Fas expression in mousehepatocytes was detected by RT-PCR and western blotting. After being treated with anti-Fas antibody (JO_2), hepatocytes was was measured with MTT assay. Caspase-3 proteolytic activity was detected, and cell apoptosis was measured to bind to Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit .RESULTS: Fas expressed in primary mouse hepatocytes. Fas expression in hepatocytes transfected with anti-Fasribozyme was decreased remarkably and correlated with the resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis as determined by flow cytometry and caspase-3 proteolytic activity. CONCLUSION: Anti-Fas ribozyme can remarkably decreasethe Fas expression in mouse hepatocytes, thus inhibit Fas-mediated apopt osis in hepatocytes. It is suggested that anti-Fas ribozyme could significantly increase the resistance of transplanted hepatocytes to apoptosis and improve the vulvival of transplanted hepatocytes.