Abstract
The B cell activating factor BAFF (BlyS/TALL-1/zTNF4) is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related ligand that promotes B cell survival and binds to three receptors (BCMA, TACI, and the recently described BAFF-R). Here we report an absolute requirement for BAFF in normal B cell development. Examination of secondary lymphoid organs from BAFF-deficient mice revealed an almost complete loss of follicular and marginal zone B lymphocytes. In contrast, mice lacking BCMA had normal-appearing B lymphocyte compartments. BAFF therefore plays a crucial role in B cell development and can function through receptors other than BCMA.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigens, CD / analysis
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B-Cell Activating Factor
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B-Cell Maturation Antigen
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / physiology
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B-Lymphocytes / cytology
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology
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B-Lymphocytes / physiology*
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Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
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Cell Separation
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Cell Survival
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Flow Cytometry
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Immunoglobulins / blood
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Leukopoiesis
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Lymph Nodes / cytology
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Lymph Nodes / immunology
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Lymphocyte Count
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Lymphoid Tissue / cytology
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Lymphoid Tissue / immunology
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Membrane Proteins / deficiency
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / physiology*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred A
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Mice, Knockout
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Phenotype
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Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / deficiency
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Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / genetics
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Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / physiology*
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Signal Transduction
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Spleen / cytology
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Spleen / immunology
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Thymus Gland / cytology
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Thymus Gland / immunology
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / deficiency
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / physiology*
Substances
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Antigens, CD
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B-Cell Activating Factor
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B-Cell Maturation Antigen
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Immunoglobulins
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Membrane Proteins
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Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
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Tnfrsf17 protein, mouse
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Tnfsf13b protein, mouse
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha