title: The BAFF/APRIL system: life beyond B lymphocytes.
abstract: B cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are two members of the TNF ligand superfamily. Studies of BAFF, APRIL and their receptors have highlighted the importance of this ligand/receptor system in regulating B cell homeostasis, tolerance and malignancy. Neutralizing BAFF can inhibit disease progression in animal models of autoimmunity, possibly by reducing survival of autoreactive B cells. In addition, BAFF inhibitors also prevent B lymphoma cell survival and may be useful for the treatment of lymphoid cancers. Recent work suggests that BAFF is also important for T cell activation and differentiation, an aspect that may be critical for the progression of certain autoimmune diseases. Therefore, targeting the BAFF/APRIL system may protect against autoimmunity and lymphoid cancers through the inhibition of pathogenic B and T cell functions.
authors.affiliation: Arthritis and Asthma Research Program, The Garvan Institute of Medical Reseach, 384 Victoria St, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Lai Guan
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: Fabienne
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mackay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053301:B-Cell Maturation Antigen; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D053303:Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053301:B-Cell Maturation Antigen; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C108467:TNFRSF13B protein, human; C086966:TNFRSF17 protein, human; C114631:TNFSF13 protein, human; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human; D053303:Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha