Advances of using antibody against B cell activating factor for treatment of autoimmune diseases / 生物工程学报

In recent decades, the treatment of autoimmune diseases has moved from the use of hormones and conventional immunosuppressive drugs to biological agents. B cell proliferation and maturation play crucial roles in the development of autoimmune diseases. The tumor necrosis factor superfamily ligand B cell activating factor (BAFF) and its receptor mediate B cell survival through regulating signaling pathways. Therefore, BAFF and its receptors are important therapeutic targets for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. This review describes the mechanism of BAFF and its receptor in the human body system and introduces the latest views on how over-activation of BAFF pathway promotes the development of autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. In connection to the treatment of the above three diseases, this review discusses the clinical trials and application status of three BAFF-targeting antibody drugs, including Belimumab, Tabalumab and Atacicept. Finally, this review proposes new strategies that targeting the BAFF pathway to provide a new treatment for autoimmune diseases.

Analysis of B cell subsets in rhumatoid arthritis patients and the effect of epigallocatechingallate on B cell subsets / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective:To explore the characteristics of B cell subsets in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and the regulation of epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) on B cell subsets in RA patients. Methods:Twenty-nine age- and sex-matched RA patients and 29 healthy controls were selected, and the difference of B cell subsets in peripheral blood between the two groups was analyzed by paired t-test. According to the value of disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28), RA patients were divided into active group (2.6 ≤ DAS28 0.05). There was no significant difference in the numbers and the proportions of total B cells and B cell subsets (except CD19+ IL-10+ Breg) between 10 RA patients of active group and 19 RA patients of highly active group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the number and the proportion of CD19+ IL-10+ Breg in lymphocytes between 6 RA patients of active group and 12 RA patients of highly active group (P>0.05). The proportion of total B cells was weakly positively correlated with IgG type rheumatoid factor (r=0.308). EGCG could significantly increase the proportion of CD19+ IL-10+ Breg (P0.05). Conclusion:B cells may play an auxiliary role in the development of RA. The number of CD19+ IL-10+ Breg in RA patients increases as a feedback. EGCG can promote Breg proliferation and suppress BAFF-R mRNA expression.

The changes and significance of the soluble B cell-activating factor in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic human immunodeficiency virus infection / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To elaborate the changes of the soluble B cell-activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) in the peripheral blood of chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients ,and to study the correlation between the soluble BAFF in HIV-infected patients and the progressions of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).Methods Fifty untreated HIV outpatients and 30 healthy controls were recruited .According to the counts of CD4+T lymphocytes ,HIV-infected patients were divided into three groups ,＜ 200 cells／μL group , (200 － 350 ) cells／μL group and ＞350 cells／μL group .B cell counts and the BAFF levels were compared among the three groups and the healthy controls .The correlation analysis was conducted for the levels of BAFF ,the counts of CD4+T lymphocytes and B cells ,and viral load in HIV-infected patients .The value of BAFF in staging of HIV disease was identified by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results The B cell counts were (90.3 ± 43.1)cells／μL in ＜200 cells／μL group ,(114 .4 ± 28 .8) cells／μL in (200 －350) cells／μL group ,and (162 .1 ± 29 .5) cells／μL in ＞350 cells／μL group and (307.1 ± 97 .0) cells／μL in healthy controls ,which was significantly different among the four groups (F＝47.92 ,P＜0.05).The concentrations of BAFF in the four groups were (1 737.5 ± 719.7) ,(962.8 ± 341.1) ,(859.8 ± 270.4) ,and (456.9 ± 163.7) ng／L ,with significant difference among the groups (F＝36.72 ,P＜0.05).The level of BAFF was negatively correlated with both B cell counts and CD4+T lymphocyte counts (r＝ －0.722 and －0.568 ,respectively ;both P＜0.05) ,and positively correlated with viral load (r＝0.607 ,P＜0 .05).The area under the ROC curve was 0 .881.If the level of BAFF was 1 281.5 ng／L ,the sensitivity and specificity to predict the period of AIDS were 74 .1% and 87.0%,respectively .Conclusion The levels of soluble BAFF in HIV-infected patients are significantly increased and related with the reduction of B cell counts and disease progression.

Protective effects of p-nitrophenylalanine-containing BAFF vaccine on lupus nephritis model mice / 中国药科大学学报

In order to verify whether p-nitrophenylalanine-containing BAFF vaccine can be used as a candidate molecule for the treatment of autoimmune diseases with BAFF over-expression,a soluble mutant of B cell activating factor belonging to the TNF Family (smBAFF) and its pNO2Phe mutant(pNO2Phe65smBAFF),which site specific incorporated pNO2Phe at position 65 of smBAFF,were expressed and purified.In order to evaluate the feasibility of using pNO2Phe65 smBAFF to treat BAFF-over-expressed autoimmune diseases,we investigate its Lymphocyte-stimulating capacity,immunogenicity and inhibitory effect of serum on biological activity of natural BAFF.The pharmacological activity of pNO2Phe65 smBAFF was evaluated using a cGVHD(graft-versus-host disease) induced SLE mouse model.Results indicated that pNO2Phe65 smBAFF,could bind to mouse lymphocytes but could not promote the proliferation of mouse lymphocytes.Moreover,the incorporation of pNO2Phe significantly increased the immunogenicity and induced cross-antibody,which can inhibit the biological activity of natural BAFF.In cGVHD induced SLE mouse model,pNO2Phe65 smBAFF can significantly reduce the symptoms of the disease and play a therapeutic role.Therefore,pNO2Phe65 smBAFF can be used as a candidate molecule for the treatment of autoimmune diseases with BAFF over-expression.

A novel anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drug CP-25 alleviated collagen induced arthritis by down-regulating BAFF-NF-κB signaling pathway / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigated the regulatory effect of paeoniflorin-6'-O-benzene sulfonate (CP-25) on B cell activating factor (BAFF)/BAFF receptor-nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-κB) signaling in B cell of collagen induced-arthritis (CIA) mice. METHODS Mice CIA was induced by injection of typeⅡcollagen (CⅡ). The arthritis index (AI) and swollen joint count (SJC) were assessed, and histopathology of spleen and joints were observed. The percentage of B cells subsets, BAFF receptor expressions were analyzed by flow cytometry. BAFF and immunoglobulin (Ig) levels were measured by protein antibody array. The expressions of TRAF2, MKK3, MKK6, p-P38, and p-NF-κB65 in NF-κB signaling mediated by BAFF were analyzed by western blot. RESULTS CP-25 decreased AI and SJC, restored abnormal weights, reduced thymus index and spleen index, inhibited T/B cells proliferation, alleviated the histopathology of spleen and joints in CIA mice. CP-25 also reduced high levels of serum BAFF and immunoglobulin, decreased CD19+B cells, CD19+CD27+B cells, and CD19-CD27+CD138+ plasma cells, inhibited BAFFR and TACI expressions, decreased the expressions of TRAF2, MKK3, MKK6, p-P38, and p-NF-κB65. Compared with biological agents etanercept and rituximab, CP-25 restored high T cells proliferation and percentages of B subsets to normal level, and recovered the high levels of IgA, IgD, IgG1, IgG2a and high expressions molecules in NF- κB signaling to normal levels. The action intensity of rituximab and etanercept was more strong than CP- 25. The inhibitor effects of rituximab and etanercept on AI and SJC, thymus index, proliferation of T cells and B cells subsets were strong, and down-regulated the indexes to under normal levels. CONCLUSION CP-25 might be a promising anti- inflammatory immune and regulation drug, which alleviated CIA and regulated the functions of B cells through BAFF/BAFF receptor-NF-κB signaling.

CP-25 inhibits the functions of activated human B cells through regulating BAFF-TRAF2-NF-κB and TNF-alpha-TRAF2-NF-κB signaling / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE This study was to investigate the effects of CP- 25 on the functions of activated human B cells through regulating BAFF and TNF-alpha signaling. METHODS B cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of normal human were isolated using magnetic cell separation (MACS) by a positive selection. B cells (107 cells·mL-1) were stimulated by BAFF (100 ng·mL-1) or TNF-alpha (100 ng·mL-1) for two hours, and then were treated with CP-25 (10-5 mol·L-1) or Rituximab (5 μg·mL-1) or Etanercept (10 μg·mL-1). B cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8. B cell subsets and BAFF receptors (BAFFR, BCMA and TACI) were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of TNFR1 and TNFR2 on B cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of MKK3, MKK6, P-p38, P-p65, TRAF2 and p100/52 was analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS CP-25 inhibited B cells proliferation stimulated by BAFF or TNF- alpha. CP- 25, Rituximab and Etanercept reduced the percentage and numbers of CD19+ B cells, CD19+CD20+ B cells, CD19+CD27+ B cells and CD19+CD20+CD27+ B cells induced by BAFF or TNF-alpha. CP-25 down-regulated the high expression of BAFFR, BCMA and TACI stimulated by BAFF or TNF-alpha. CP-25, Rituximab and Etanercept down-regulated significantly the expression of TNFR1 and TNFR2 on B cell stimulated by BAFF or TNF-alpha. CP-25, Rituximab and Etanercept down-regulated the expression of MKK3, P-p38, P-p65, TRAF2 and p52 in B cells stimulated by BAFF and the expression of TRAF2 and P- p65 in B cells stimulated by TNF-alpha. CONCLUSION CP- 25 regulated moderately activated B cells function by by regulating the classical and alternative NF-κB signaling pathway mediated by BAFF and TNF-alpha-TRAF2-NF-κB signaling pathway. This study suggests that CP-25 may be a promising anti-inflammatory immune and soft regulation drug.

The Future of B-cell Activating Factor Antagonists in the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

To review B-cell activating factor (BAFF)-antagonist therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), literature was searched using the search words and phrases, “BAFF”, “B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS)”, “a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL)”, “B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)”, “transmembrane activator and calcium-modulating and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI)”, “BLyS receptor 3 (BR3)”, “belimumab”, “atacicept”, “blisibimod”, “tabalumab”, and “lupus clinical trial”. In addition, papers from the author's personal library were searched. BAFF-antagonist therapy in SLE has a checkered past, with four late-stage clinical trials meeting their primary endpoints and four failing to do so. Additional late-stage clinical trials are enrolling subjects to address some of the remaining unresolved questions, and novel approaches are proposed to improve results. The BAFF-centric pathway is a proven therapeutic target in SLE. As the only pathway in the past 50+ years to have yielded an United States Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for SLE, it occupies a unique place in the armamentarium of the practicing rheumatologist. The challenges facing clinicians and investigators are how to better tweak the BAFF-centric pathway and improve on the successes realized.

The Future of B-cell Activating Factor Antagonists in the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

To review B-cell activating factor (BAFF)-antagonist therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), literature was searched using the search words and phrases, “BAFF”, “B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS)”, “a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL)”, “B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)”, “transmembrane activator and calcium-modulating and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI)”, “BLyS receptor 3 (BR3)”, “belimumab”, “atacicept”, “blisibimod”, “tabalumab”, and “lupus clinical trial”. In addition, papers from the author's personal library were searched. BAFF-antagonist therapy in SLE has a checkered past, with four late-stage clinical trials meeting their primary endpoints and four failing to do so. Additional late-stage clinical trials are enrolling subjects to address some of the remaining unresolved questions, and novel approaches are proposed to improve results. The BAFF-centric pathway is a proven therapeutic target in SLE. As the only pathway in the past 50+ years to have yielded an United States Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for SLE, it occupies a unique place in the armamentarium of the practicing rheumatologist. The challenges facing clinicians and investigators are how to better tweak the BAFF-centric pathway and improve on the successes realized.

Papel de la citocina BAFF en las enfermedades autoinmunes: rol fisiopatológico y estrategias terapéuticas / Role of the cytokine BAFF in autoimmune diseases: physiopathology and therapeutic targets

El complejo BAFF (factor activador de células B) compuesto por la citocina BAFF, APRIL y sus receptores -BAFF-R (BR3), TACI y BCMA- influyen en la sobrevida periférica, en la maduración de los linfocitos B y en el cambio de clase de las inmunoglobulinas, con múltiples implicaciones clínicas potenciales. Las funciones biológicas de BAFF y su relevancia en varios desórdenes clínicos -autoinmunes, neoplásicos, infecciosos, incluyendo las terapias BAFF dirigidas- son revisadas y discutidas en el presente artículo. Los niveles séricos de BAFF/APRIL se encuentran incrementados en las enfermedades autoinmunes en las que sus concentraciones se relacionan con los títulos de anticuerpos, actividad, progresión de la enfermedad e incluso compromiso orgánico, haciendo de su inhibición un blanco terapéutico atractivo

The BAFF complex (B cell activator factor) composed by the BAFF cytokine, APRIL and their receptors -BAFF-R (BR3), TACI, BCMA- influences B-lymphocyte maturation, peripheral survival and immunoglobulins class isotype switching, with multiple potential clinical implications. In this review we discuss BAFF biologic functions and it relevance in several clinical disorders -autoimmune, neoplastic, infectious and BAFF therapies-. BAFF/APRIL

Expression of BAFF and BR3 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the expression of B cell activating factor (BAFF) and BAFF receptor in patients with disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Real-time RT-PCR was used to examine BAFF mRNA expression in peripheral blood monocytes of active and stable SLE patients and healthy controls. The percentage of BAFF receptor 3 (BR3) on B lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometry. Soluble BAFF levels in serum were assayed by ELISA. Microalbumin levels were assayed by an automatic immune analysis machine. BAFF mRNA and soluble BAFF levels were highest in the active SLE group, followed by the stable SLE group, and controls (P<0.01). The percentage of BR3 on B lymphocytes was downregulated in the active SLE group compared with the stable SLE group and controls (P<0.01). BAFF mRNA levels and soluble BAFF levels were higher in patients who were positive for proteinuria than in those who were negative (P<0.01). The percentage of BR3 on B lymphocytes was lower in patients who were positive for proteinuria than in those who were negative (P<0.01). The BAFF/BR3 axis may be over-activated in SLE patients. BAFF and BR3 levels may be useful parameters for evaluating treatment.

Expression of BAFF and its specific receptor BAFF-R in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin′s lympho-ma and their significance / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of B-cell activating factor ( BAFF ) and its specific receptor BAFF-R in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin′s lymphoma ( B-NHL) and to analyze the cor-relations between BAFF and the development of B-NHL.Methods RTQ-PCR and Western blot assay were used to measure the expression of BAFF and its specific receptor BAFF-R in patients with B-NHL.Fluores-cence immunocytochemical staining was used to determine the localization of BAFF and BAFF-R in Raji cells, a B-NHL cell line.The expression of BAFF in tumor tissues from patients with B-NHL of different his-tologic subtypes was measured by immunohistochemistry.WST proliferation and TUNEL assays were used to evaluate the effects of BAFF and BAFF-R on the proliferation, survival rate and apoptosis of Raji cells.Lin-ear correlations between the concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH) and the expression of BAFF and BAFF at mRNA and protein levels in patients with B-NHL were analyzed.Results BAFF and its specific receptor BAFF-R were expressed in Raji cells and played an important role in the survival and proliferation of B-NHL cell line.The expression of BAFF in tumor cells from patients with B-NHL varied with the different histologic subtypes of B-NHL.Patients with small B-cell malignant lymphoma, large B-cell lymphoma ( LBCL) , mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma ( MALT lymphoma) and follicular lymphoma showed higher levels of BAFF, while those with mantle cell lymphoma showed lower levels of BAFF.Compared with the healthy subjects, patients with B-NHL showed significantly increased expression of BAFF at mRNA and protein levels.The levels of LDH were closely related to the expression of BAFF at mRNA and protein lev-els.Conclusion BAFF and its specific receptor BAFF-R might play an important role in the growth and survival of malignant B cells.

Expression characteristics and significance of miR-338-5p in renal transplant pa-tients / 中国免疫学杂志

To explore the serum miR-338-5p expression characteristics in renal transplant recipients ,and the role of regulating BAFF signal ,then investigate its biological significance.Methods:Healthy volunteers were enrolled as control group.Serum miR-338-5p was detected by real-time PCR;soluble BAFF was detected by ELISA;anti-HLA-Ⅰantibody,anti-HLA-Ⅱ antibody and anti-MICA antibody were detected by liquid chip technology.SPSS17.0 software was applied.t-test was used to compare the means of two independent samples;Paired samples t-test was used to compare the means of two paired samples;Spearman method and Pearson method were used to analyse the correlation;P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: Compared with healthy controls,serum miR-338-5p in renal transplant recipients decreased significantly (P<0.001),while serum BAFF increased significantly (P<0.01).Serum miR-338-5p levels within 1 year post-transplantation were significantly lower than that of more than 1 year post-transplantation (P<0.01);Serum miR-338-5p levels within 3 years post-transplantation were significantly lower than that of more than 3 years post-transplantation (P<0.01);To all research objects,serum miR-338-5p was significantly negatively correlated with serum BAFF (r=-0.51,P<0.001),and serum miR-338-5p was significantly negatively correlated with anti-HLA-Ⅱ antibody(r=-0.322, P<0.05);Serum miR-338-5p within 3 years was significantly negatively correlated with anti-HLA-Ⅱantibody (r=-0.423,P<0.05), and serum miR-338-5p within 3 years was significantly negatively correlated with anti-MICA antibody(r=-0.411,P<0.05);Serum miR-338-5p more than 3 years was significantly positively correlated with anti-MICA antibody(r=0.486,P<0.05),and Serum miR-338-5p more than 3 years was significantly positively correlated with anti-HLA & MICA antibody(r=0.578,P<0.01).Conclusion:miR-338-5p may directly or indirectly target BAFF signal ,and participate antibody mediated immune response by regulating its target genes and interfere with the long-term survival of transplanted renal.

BAFF promotes regulatory T-cell apoptosis and blocks cytokine production by activating B cells in primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic and slowly progressive cholestatic liver disease of autoimmune etiology. A number of questions regarding its etiology are unclear. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in self-tolerance and, for unknown reasons, their relative number is reduced in PBC patients. B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) is a key survival factor during B-cell maturation and its concentration is increased in peripheral blood of PBC patients. It has been reported that activated B cells inhibit Treg cell proliferation and there are no BAFF receptors on Tregs. Therefore, we speculated that excessive BAFF may result in Treg reduction via B cells. To prove our hypothesis, we isolated Tregs and B cells from PBC and healthy donors. BAFF and IgM concentrations were then analyzed by ELISA and CD40, CD80, CD86, IL-10, and TGF-β expression in B cells and Tregs were measured by flow cytometry. BAFF up-regulated CD40, CD80, CD86, and IgM expression in B cells. However, BAFF had no direct effect on Treg cell apoptosis and cytokine secretion. Nonetheless, we observed that BAFF-activated B cells could induce Treg cell apoptosis and reduce IL-10 and TGF-β expression. We also showed that BAFF-activated CD4+ T cells had no effect on Treg apoptosis. Furthermore, we verified that bezafibrate, a hypolipidemic drug, can inhibit BAFF-induced Treg cell apoptosis. In conclusion, BAFF promotes Treg cell apoptosis and inhibits cytokine production by activating B cells in PBC patients. The results of this study suggest that inhibition of BAFF activation is a strategy for PBC treatment.

Lactoferrin Stimulates Mouse Macrophage to Express BAFF via Smad3 Pathway

B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) is primarily expressed by macrophages and stimulates B cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and Ig production. In this study, we explored the effect of lactoferrin (LF) on BAFF expression by murine macrophages. We determined the level of BAFF expression at the transcriptional and protein levels using RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. LF markedly enhanced BAFF expression in mouse macrophages at both the transcriptional and protein levels. Overexpression of Smad3/4 further increased LF-induced BAFF transcription while DN-Smad3 abolished the LF-induced BAFF expression. These results demonstrate that LF can enhance BAFF expression through Smad3/4 pathway.

Clinical significance of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) in acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 대한혈액학회지

BACKGROUND: BAFF (B cell-activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) are members of the tumor necrosis factor family and promote B cell survival and proliferation. We evaluated the correlation between serum concentration of BAFF or APRIL and severity of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). METHODS: Fifteen patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem transplantation for leukemia and developed acute GVHD were enrolled. We determined serum concentrations of BAFF and APRIL at the onset of the first clinical manifestation of GVHD by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Nine patients had grade 2 acute GVHD, and 6 had grade 3-4 acute GVHD. The BAFF serum concentration was higher in patients with grade 3-4 acute GVHD (1,093.42 in grade 2 vs. 2,171.99 pg/mL in grade 3-4), although the difference was not significant (P=0.077). However, the ratio of BAFF serum concentration to absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) (BAFF/ALC) was significantly higher in patients with grade 3-4 acute GVHD (P=0.045). The APRIL serum concentration and APRIL/ALC ratio showed similar results (P=0.077 and P=0.013, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with grade 3-4 acute GVHD had higher BAFF/ALC and APRIL/ALC ratios than patients with grade 2 acute GVHD. These findings suggest that B cells might play an important role in the development of acute GVHD, and that the BAFF and APRIL concentrations in serum might be significant predictive factors for estimating the severity of acute GVHD. Their clinical significance should be further evaluated in a larger patient population.

The study on the possible pathogenesis of EBV latent membrane protein 1 in inducing systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible pathogenesis of EB virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 in inducing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsThe mRNA expression levels of LMP1 and apoptosis-related genes bcl-2,bax in SLE patients and healthy controls were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The serum BAFF levels of SLE patients and normal healthy controls were detected by ELISA.2 test was used for positive rate analysis,2-△△Ct method was used for comparing the gene expression level,and Student-Newman-Kqeuls method was used for pair-wise comparison between the means.Results① The positive rate of LMP1 expression in 67 SLE cases was 25％,which was significantly higher than the 11％ in 65 healthy controls (P＜0.05).② The 2-△Ct value of bcl-2 mRNA expression level of SLE patients was 0.0257,1.41 times to that (0.0183) of healthy controls and the difference was statistically significant.③ The 2-△Ct value of bcl-2 mRNA expression level of LMP1 positive SLE patients was 0.0427,1.98 times to that of LMP1 negative SLE patients (0.0217),the difference was statistically significant.④ The serum BAFF levels of LMP1 positive SLE patients,LMP1 negative SLE patients,LMP1 positive healthy controls and LMP 1 negative healthy controls were ( 106± 15 ),(82± 19),( 68±19),(64±17) μg/L,respectively.There were significant differences between serum BAFF levels of LMPl-positive SLE patients and other groups(P＜0.0l ).There were significant difference between serum BAFF levels of LMP1-negative SLE patients and the control groups (P＜0.01).ConclusionEBV may induce and/or promote SLE by LMP1 through apoptosis-related genes bcl-2 expression and induction of B lymphocytes that produce BAFF,all these mechanisms can prolong the infected auto-reactive B lymphocytes survival.

IFN-γ up-regulated the expression of BAFF-R in multiple myeloma cells through the NF-κB pathway / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the action and mechanism of NF-κB pathway in up-regulating B cell-activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) expression in multiple myeloma cells induced by IFN-γ.Methods Activated NF-κB were detected with Western blot, while the expression of BAFF-R were measured with RT-PCR and ELISA, and investigated the effect of BAY11-7082 on transcription of BAFF-R mRNA and translation of protein in multiple myeloma cells stimulated by IFN-γ. Results IFN-γ can induce the degradation of IκB-α in time-dependent and dosage-dependent manner, and up-regulated BAFF-R expression in multiple myeloma cells. BAY11-7082, an NF-κB inhibitor, inhibited not only the transcription of BAFF-R mRNA but also the protein of regulated by IFN-γin dosage-dependent manner. Conclusion NFκB may play an important role in high expression of BAFF-R in multiple myeloma cells induced by IFN-γ.

Activin A Stimulates Mouse APCs to Express BAFF via ALK4-Smad3 Pathway

BACKGROUND: B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) is primarily expressed by macrophages and dendritic cells, and stimulates B cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and Ig production. In the present study, we explored the effect of activin A on BAFF expression by APCs. METHODS: To investigate the effect of activin A on BAFF expression by mouse APCs, we measured the level of BAFF expression at the transcriptional and protein levels using RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: Activin A markedly enhanced BAFF expression in mouse macrophages and dendritic cells at both the transcriptional and protein levels. SB431542, an activin receptor-like kinase 4 (ALK4) inhibitor, completely abrogated activin A-induced BAFF transcription. Furthermore, overexpression of DN-Smad3 abolished activin-induced BAFF expression at the transcriptional and protein levels. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that activin A can enhance BAFF expression through ALK4-Smad3 pathway.

Expression and Significance of BAFF and APRIL in Patients with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpur / 医学研究杂志

Objective To study the expression and significance of B-cell activating factor(BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand(APRIL) in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpur(ITP). Methods The serum levels of BAFF and APRIL in 27 cases with ITP were tested by ELISA.Results ①The serum levels of BAFF in ITP were higher than those of control group (3.92?1.88?g/ml vs 2.90?0.52?g/ml,P

BAFF and system lupus erythematosus / 基础医学与临床

BAFF is an essential ligand essential for survival and differentiation of peripheral B cells. By interacting with three receptors, BAFF can promote B cell maturation and class switching, enhance humoral immunity and T cell co-stimulation. Over-expression of BAFF leads to autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in mouse model. Treating the mice model with BAFF antagonists can slow-down disease progression and enhance survival rate. Moreover, in some SLE patients serum level of BAFF is elevated and correlated with serum anti-dsDNA titer. The preliminary clinical trial of anti-BAFF monoclonal antibody has shown to be safe and effective. BAFF antagonists are promising therapeutic drugs for SLE.