title: Role of BAFF/BAFF-R axis in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
abstract: B-cell activating factor (BAFF), as a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family, plays important roles in B-cell homeostasis, tolerance, and malignancy. BAFF binds to three receptors of TNF, TACI, BCMA and BAFF-receptor (BAFF-R). In particular, the BAFF/BAFF-R pathway is crucial to the survival and growth of mature normal and malignant B-cells. BAFF is displayed on the cell surface or is released in a soluble form after cleavage from the plasma membrane. BAFF-R as the main BAFF receptor is expressed mainly on B-cells. Aberrant BAFF expression was found in malignant B-cells from B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) patients, which protects these cells from spontaneous or drug-induced apoptosis and stimulated NF-κB activation via autocrine and/or paracrine pathways. However, the mechanisms involved in the gene expression and regulation of BAFF or BAFF-R has not been elucidated. More importantly, the design of reagents able to counteract BAFF/BAFF-R pathways may be of therapeutic value for B-NHL. Results of ongoing clinical trials with BAFF or BAFF-R antagonists are eagerly awaited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, China.
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, China. Electronic address: xuwei10000@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human
keywords: B-cell activating factor; B-cell activating factor receptor; B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma