title: Novel function of TNF cytokines in regulating bone marrow B cell survival.
abstract: Two newly identified tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family cytokines, B cell activation factor from the TNF family (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), have recently been shown to enhance the maturation and survival of peripheral B cells. However, whether BAFF and APRIL are expressed in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment and if these two cytokines modulate early B cell development remain unclear. In the present study, we have detected the abundant expression of BAFF and APRIL transcripts in BM non-lymphoid cells. Low levels of BAFF and APRIL mRNA are also found in developing B cells. Furthermore, we have determined the expression patterns of BAFF receptors during B lymphopoiesis. In cultures, both recombinant BAFF and APRIL significantly promote the survival of precursor B cells whereas only BAFF can suppress apoptosis of immature B cells. These findings suggest that BAFF and APRIL, in addition to their well established role in regulating peripheral B cell growth, can modulate the survival of developing B cells in the BM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: King Hung
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Queenie Lai Kwan
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Cherry Kam Chun
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Daniel Jia Lin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Lijun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Bojian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Gopesh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Srivastava
authors.forename: Liwei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; 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