title: The BLyS/BAFF family of ligands and receptors: key targets in the therapy and understanding of autoimmunity.
abstract: The B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS; also termed BAFF) family of ligands and receptors plays a central role in B lymphocyte development, selection, and homoeostasis. Members of this family can independently influence different B cell subsets, because the interactions between the two ligands and three receptors vary, and the receptors themselves are differentially expressed among developing, naive, and antigen experienced B cell subsets. These properties prompt careful assessment of how ablative therapies may influence the behaviour of upstream or downstream B lineage populations, as well as how the implementation and expectations of therapeutics targeting BLyS family members must be guided by knowledge of the B cell subsets contributing to pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, 284 John Morgan Building, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 36th and Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6082, USA. Cancro@mail.med.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Cancro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000276:immunology*; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D008024:Ligands; C435926:TNFRSF13C protein, human