The mechanisms underlying the resistant of RA-FLS to receptor-mediated apoptosis are not completely understood, but prominent findings are that the inhibition of apoptosis is associated also with a number of soluble factors such as soluble Fas/CD95-ligand (sFasL/sCD95L), and the soluble decoy receptors DcR3. The gene discussed is FASLG; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.