title: BAFF inhibition: a new class of drugs for the treatment of autoimmunity.
abstract: BAFF (BLyS) and APRIL are TNF-like cytokines that support survival and differentiation of B cells. Recent studies have discovered a role for BAFF in augmenting both innate and adaptive immune responses as well as in collaborating with other inflammatory cytokines to promote the activation and differentiation of effector immune cells. BAFF is an important pathogenic factor in lupus mouse models and BAFF inhibition successfully delays disease onset in these mice, although the responsiveness to BAFF inhibition varies among different strains. These results have led to the development of inhibitors targeting BAFF and APRIL in humans. An anti-BAFF antibody has shown significant but modest efficacy in two Phase III clinical trials for moderately active SLE and other inhibitors are being developed or at early stages of clinical testing.
authors.affiliation: Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C118660:PDS5B protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors