title: BAFF and the regulation of B cell survival.
abstract: The TNF family member BAFF is a fundamental survival factor for B cells. BAFF binds to three receptors, only one of which, BAFF-R, does not cross-react with the BAFF-related ligand APRIL. The survival function of BAFF on B cells is mediated mainly by BAFF-R and is particularly effective in transitional B cells. BAFF depletion leads to a considerable decrease in mature B cells, without apparent effect on B cell genesis. Consistently, BAFF overexpression results in an expanded B cell compartment and autoimmunity in mice. Elevated amounts of BAFF can be found in the serum of patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. The BAFF system is a promising target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry, BIL Biomedical Research Center, University of Lausanne, Ch. des Boveresses 155, CH-1066, Epalinges, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Jürg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tschopp
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C435926:TNFRSF13C protein, human; C114631:TNFSF13 protein, human; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human; C486662:Tnfrsf13c protein, mouse; C491959:Tnfsf13 protein, mouse; C505720:Tnfsf13b protein, mouse; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha