title: The strength of the antibody response to the nematode Ascaris lumbricoides inversely correlates with levels of B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF) is a cytokine regulating antibody production. Polymorphisms in the gene encoding BAFF were associated with the antibody response to Ascaris but not to mite allergens. In the present study we evaluated the relationship between BAFF and specific antibodies against Ascaris and mites in 448 controls and 448 asthmatics. Soluble BAFF was measured by ELISA and BAFF mRNA by qPCR. Surface expression of BAFF and its receptor (BAFF-R) was analyzed by flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals with specific IgE levels to Ascaris >75th percentile had lower levels of soluble BAFF; those with specific IgG levels to Ascaris >75th percentile had reduced BAFF mRNA. Total IgE and specific IgE to mites were not related to BAFF levels. There were no differences in soluble BAFF or mRNA levels between asthmatics and controls. There was an inverse relationship between the cell-surface expression of BAFF-R on CD19+ B cells and BAFF levels at the transcriptional and protein level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that differences in BAFF levels are related to the strength of the antibody response to Ascaris.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bornacelly
authors.forename: Dilia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mercado
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Acevedo
authors.affiliation: Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cra 5, #7-77, 13-0015 Cartagena, Colombia. lcaraballog@unicartagena.edu.co.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Caraballo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000276:immunology*; D017164:Ascaris lumbricoides / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007073:Immunoglobulin E