title: Clinical significance of B cell-activating factor in autoimmune pancreatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Overexpression of B Cell-activating factor (BAFF) is involved in autoimmunity, but little is known about its role in autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of BAFF in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of AIP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with AIP (n = 19) were compared with 2 disease control groups (chronic pancreatitis [n = 17] and pancreatic cancer [n = 15]) and a healthy subject group (n = 19). Serum BAFF levels were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of BAFF and BAFF receptor in the pancreatic tissue of patients with AIP were estimated using immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean serum BAFF levels were higher in the patients with AIP than in the patients with chronic pancreatitis, the patients with pancreatic cancer, and the healthy subjects (P < 0.0001 for all groups). Using the cutoff value of 1389 pg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity to differentiate AIP from disease and healthy controls were 89.5% and 92.2%, respectively. Glucocorticoid therapy decreased serum BAFF levels below 1389 pg/mL in all patients with AIP (P < 0.0001). B Cell-activating factor and BAFF receptor were expressed on cells infiltrating the pancreas of patients with AIP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  B Cell-activating factor could be a novel marker for diagnosis and treatment response in AIP and may contribute to its pathogenesis.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Japan.
authors: Hirofumi
authors: H
authors: Yamanishi
authors: Teru
authors: T
authors: Kumagi
authors: Tomoyuki
authors: T
authors: Yokota
authors: Nobuaki
authors: N
authors: Azemoto
authors: Mitsuhito
authors: M
authors: Koizumi
authors: Yuichi
authors: Y
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Masanori
authors: M
authors: Abe
authors: Hidehiro
authors: H
authors: Murakami
authors: Yoichi
authors: Y
authors: Hiasa
authors: Bunzo
authors: B
authors: Matsuura
authors: Hirofumi
authors: H
authors: Kawamoto
authors: Kazuhide
authors: K
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Morikazu
authors: M
authors: Onji
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D015415:Biomarkers; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C435926:TNFRSF13C protein, human; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human