BAFF
Full name: B-cell activating factor
Aliases:1-3 TALL-1, THANK, BlyS, zTNF-4, and TNFSF-13b
Size:3 17 kDa
Family:1 TNF ligand family
Receptors:2,4 BAFF-R, TACI, and BCMA
Major cellular sources:2,4 Monocytes, macrophages, DC, bone marrow stromal cells, and T cells
Major cellular targets:3 B cells
Disease states associated with:2 Autoimmune rheumatic diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren’s syndrome
Major physiologic functions:
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BAFF plays an important role in the generation of mature B cells and is an important regulator of B-cell and T-cell responses.2
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Interaction between BAFF and BAFF-R activates the NF-κB signaling pathway, which is essential for the formation and maintenance of B cells. Thus, BAFF is a critical factor for B-cell survival, proliferation, and maturation.1,4
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Increased BAFF levels have been implicated in altered B-cell differentiation and activation, resulting in the production of class-switched autoantibodies and increased organ damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.5,6
References:
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1.
Rauch M, Tussiwand R, Bosco N, Rolink AG. PLoS One. 2009;4:e5456.
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2.
Ng LG, Sutherland APR, Newton R, et al. J Immunol. 2004;173:807-817.
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3.
Zhang J, Roschke V, Baker KP, et al. J lmmunol. 2001;166:6-10.
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4.
Smulski CR, Eibel H. Front Immunol. 2018;9:2285.
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5.
Samy E, Wax S, Huard B, Hess H, Schneider P. Int Rev Immunol. 2017;36:3-19.
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6.
Steri M, Orrù V, Idda ML, et al. N Engl J Med. 2017;376:1615-1626.