Previous reports have indicated that apoptosis is selectively decreased in enzyme-altered foci (EAF) in the livers of rats treated with a carcinogen. Here we have investigated the effects of an anti-Fas antibody (anti-Fas Ab) on EAF cells in vitro. Hepatocytes were isolated from rats treated repeatedly with diethylnitrosamine (DEN), whose livers contained glutathione S-transferase P (GST-P)-positive EAF. Subsequently, primary cultures of GST-P-positive and GST-P-negative hepatocytes were established and exposed to anti-Fas Ab. Anti-Fas Ab (4 microg/ml) preferentially induced apoptosis in GST-P-negative cells. Furthermore, GST-P-positive cells were shown to be resistant to p53-mediated apoptosis. We conclude that EAF hepatocytes are resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis in vitro. This lack of response may explain the selective decrease in apoptosis in EAF.