Cracking the BAFF code

F Mackay, P Schneider - Nature reviews immunology, 2009 - nature.com
Nature reviews immunology, 2009nature.com
The tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family members B cell activating factor (BAFF) and APRIL
(a proliferation-inducing ligand) are crucial survival factors for peripheral B cells. An excess
of BAFF leads to the development of autoimmune disorders in animal models, and high
levels of BAFF have been detected in the serum of patients with various autoimmune
conditions. In this Review, we consider the possibility that in mice autoimmunity induced by
BAFF is linked to T cell-independent B cell activation rather than to a severe breakdown of B …
Abstract
The tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family members B cell activating factor (BAFF) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) are crucial survival factors for peripheral B cells. An excess of BAFF leads to the development of autoimmune disorders in animal models, and high levels of BAFF have been detected in the serum of patients with various autoimmune conditions. In this Review, we consider the possibility that in mice autoimmunity induced by BAFF is linked to T cell-independent B cell activation rather than to a severe breakdown of B cell tolerance. We also outline the mechanisms of BAFF signalling, the impact of ligand oligomerization on receptor activation and the progress of BAFF-depleting agents in the clinical setting.
nature.com