Cracking the BAFF code

Nat Rev Immunol. 2009 Jul;9(7):491-502. doi: 10.1038/nri2572.

Abstract

The tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family members B cell activating factor (BAFF) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) are crucial survival factors for peripheral B cells. An excess of BAFF leads to the development of autoimmune disorders in animal models, and high levels of BAFF have been detected in the serum of patients with various autoimmune conditions. In this Review, we consider the possibility that in mice autoimmunity induced by BAFF is linked to T cell-independent B cell activation rather than to a severe breakdown of B cell tolerance. We also outline the mechanisms of BAFF signalling, the impact of ligand oligomerization on receptor activation and the progress of BAFF-depleting agents in the clinical setting.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmunity / immunology
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / immunology*
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / metabolism
  • B-Cell Maturation Antigen / immunology
  • B-Cell Maturation Antigen / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology
  • Ligands
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • Toll-Like Receptors / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptors / metabolism
  • Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein / immunology
  • Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13 / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13 / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and Proteins / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • B-Cell Maturation Antigen
  • Ligands
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and Proteins