title: Exploring BAFF: its expression, receptors and contribution to the immunopathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome.
abstract: SS is an autoimmune condition characterized by exocrine gland destruction, autoantibody production, immune complex deposition and systemic complications associated with lymphocytic infiltration of many organs. Genetic, environmental and viral factors play a role in disease aetiology, however, the exact mechanisms driving the immunopathogenesis of SS remain uncertain. Here we discuss a role for B cell activating factor (BAFF), whereby B cell hyperactivity and increased BAFF secretion observed in patients and animal models of the disease can be explained by the altered expression of cell-specific BAFF/BAFF receptor (BAFF-R) variants in several immune cell types. Understanding the role of BAFF/BAFF-R heterogeneity in SS pathogenesis could help to facilitate new treatment strategies for patients.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rheumatology Research, Department of Medicine, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Nicolyn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rheumatology Research, Department of Medicine, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Isenberg
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rheumatology Research, Department of Medicine, University College London, London, UK c.ciurtin@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Elizabeth C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Jury
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rheumatology Research, Department of Medicine, University College London, London, UK c.ciurtin@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Coziana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ciurtin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000502:physiology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000473:pathology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D016207:Cytokines; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human
keywords: B cell activating factor (BAFF); BAFF receptor; Sjögren’s syndrome