title: Expression of TNF-α, APRIL and BCMA in Behcet's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is an important proinflammatory cytokine which plays an important role in the immunopathogenesis of Behcet's disease (BD). B cell activating factor (BAFF) and its homolog A proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) are members of the tumor necrosis factor family. BAFF binds to 3 receptors, B cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R), transmembrane activator and calcium modulator ligand interactor (TACI), and B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) that are expressed by B cells.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Estimation of the serum levels of TNF-α, APRIL, BAFF, and BCMA in patients with BD in an effort to evaluate their degree of involvement in the pathogenesis and development of BD.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 30 male patients fulfilling the international study group criteria for the diagnosis of BD. Twenty age-matched healthy male volunteers served as control. Serum samples were used for quantification of TNF-α, APRIL, BCMA, BAFF, and hsCRP using ELISA techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum levels of TNF-α, APRIL, BCMA, and BAFF were more elevated in cases than in controls in a statistically significant manner (P < 0.001). Positive correlation was observed between hs-CRP and BDCAF (Behcet's disease current activity forum) index (r 0.68, P < 0.001). None of the TNF family members tested was affected by a positive pathergy test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients have significantly higher levels of TNF family members' (TNF-α, BAFF, APRIL, and BCMA) compared to controls which might contribute to the pathogenesis of BD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Olfat G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Shaker
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Shereen O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Tawfic
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Amira M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: El-Tawdy
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed H M
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: El-Komy
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kasr Al-Aini Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Manal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El Menyawi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kasr Al-Aini Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ahmed A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Heikal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000097:blood; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004159:Diphenylamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053303:Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein / Q000097:blood; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13 / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D015415:Biomarkers; C108467:TNFRSF13B protein, human; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human; D053303:Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C048009:bis(3-bis(4-chlorophenyl)methyl-4-dimethylaminophenyl)amine; D004159:Diphenylamine