title: The biochemistry and biology of BAFF, APRIL and their receptors.
abstract: The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family of related receptors and ligands contains a rich collection of molecules that are important players in a broad spectrum of biological systems. While several family members are critical for development and function of the immune system, providing both activation and death signals, other members are involved in nonimmunological functions as diverse as hair follicle formation. TNF homology searches during the past several years have led to the discovery of numerous novel ligands, two of which will be the focus of this review. BAFF, a cytokine responsible for B cell survival, has recently been the subject of intense investigation that has expanded our understanding of mature B cell genesis, and mechanisms involved in developing B cell pathologies. APRIL is a close relative of BAFF and while its biological roles are less well understood, it may have both immune and non-immune functions. Herein we will discuss the discovery, structure, cognate receptors and functions of these two proteins.
authors.affiliation: Biogen Idec, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. susan.kalled@biogenidec.com
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kalled
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ambrose
authors.forename: Yen-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D008024:Ligands; 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