title: B cell activation factor (BAFF) is a novel adipokine that links obesity and inflammation.
abstract: B cell activation factor (BAFF) is a novel member of the TNF ligand superfamily, mainly produced by myeloid cells. BAFF has been shown to participate in B-cell survival and B- and T-cell maturation. BAFF expression in adipocytes has been recently demonstrated. In the current study, we verified that BAFF expression is increased during adipocyte differentiation. BAFF expression was augmented by TNF-alpha treatment and was decreased by rosiglitazone treatment. BAFF secretion in lean and in ob/ob mice sera were compared and smaller amount of BAFF was secreted in ob/ob mice. mRNA and protein expression were different between epididymal and visceral adipose tissue. BAFF expression was also increased in ob/ob mouse adipose tissue. We sought to identify known BAFF receptors (BAFF-R, BCMA, and TACI) in adipocytes, and determined that all three were present and upregulated during adipocyte differentiation. However, the expression of TACI was distinct from that of BAFF-R and BCMA under TNF-alpha and BAFF ligand treatment. BAFF-R and BCMA expression levels were upregulated under pro-inflammatory conditions, but TACI was reduced. Conversely, BAFF-R and BCMA expression levels were downregulated by rosiglitazone treatment, but TACI was increased. Taken together, our results suggest that BAFF may be a new adipokine, representing a link between obesity and inflammation.
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Food Sciences, Handong Global University, Pohang 791-708, Korea.
authors.forename: Yu Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Bong Hyuk
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hyae Gyeong
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Cheon
authors.forename: Myoung Sool
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Do
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology; D054392:Adipokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000077154:Rosiglitazone