The role of APRIL and BAFF in lymphocyte activation

Curr Opin Immunol. 2005 Jun;17(3):282-9. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2005.04.005.

Abstract

The TNF family ligands BAFF (also called BLyS) and APRIL regulate lymphocyte survival and activation. BAFF binds to three receptors, BAFF-R, TACI and BCMA, whereas APRIL interacts with TACI, BCMA and proteoglycans. The contribution of BAFF and APRIL to B-cell and plasma-cell survival, CD154 (CD40L)-independent antibody isotype switching, germinal center maintenance, T-dependent and T-independent antibody responses, and T cell co-stimulation are relatively well understood. Constitutive BAFF produced by stromal cells determines the size of the peripheral B cell pool, whereas inducible BAFF produced by myeloid and other cells supports local survival of B lymphocytes and can be associated with development of autoimmunity when deregulated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism*

Substances

  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • TNFSF13 protein, human
  • TNFSF13B protein, human
  • Tnfsf13b protein, mouse
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha