title: B-cell activating factor targeted therapy and lupus.
abstract: B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a member of the family of TNF-like cytokines, supports the survival and differentiation of B cells. The successful development of belimumab, a human antibody targeting soluble BAFF, has marked an important milestone in the development of biologic therapy for treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), although much remains unknown regarding the clinical utility of BAFF inhibition in SLE and other autoimmune diseases. In the present review, we provide an overview of the knowledge concerning BAFF's role in murine and human B-cell development and maturation, as well as the clinical and mechanistic effects of BAFF inhibition in human SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boneparth
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; C511911:belimumab