title: Expression of B-cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) and its receptors in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The role of B cells and antibodies in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is controversial. We investigated the expression of B-cell-activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF), a protein indispensable for B-cell survival, and of its three receptors in MS patients and controls. BAFF mRNA levels in monocytes, and BAFF-receptor mRNA in B and T cells, were higher in patients than in healthy controls; yet, BAFF protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma were similar in patients and headache controls. In addition, each MS disease course was associated with a unique expression pattern for all four molecules.
authors.affiliation: Neurotec Department, Division of Neurology R54, Karolinska Institutet at Huddinge University Hospital, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden. Mathula.Thangarajh@neruotec.ki.se
authors.forename: Mathula
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thangarajh
authors.forename: Andreia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Masterman
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hillert
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hjelmström
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D053303:Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C108467:TNFRSF13B protein, human; C435926:TNFRSF13C protein, human; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human; D053303:Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha