Expressions of BAFF/BAFF receptors and their correlation with disease activity in Chinese SLE patients.

Abstract

B-cell activating factor belonging to tumour necrosis factor family (BAFF) is essential for B-cell survival and function through interaction with its receptors BAFF receptor 3 (BR3), B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and/or transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI), though BCMA and/or TACI can also bind to a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL). We evaluate the correlation of the expressions of these ligands/receptors with different clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Levels of BAFF and APRIL in plasma from 73 SLE patients were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expressions of BR3, TACI and BCMA on CD19+ B cells were detected by flow cytometry. Clinical data were collected and disease activity was evaluated using SLEDAI-2000. SLE patients had elevated BAFF and APRIL levels in their plasma. BAFF levels correlated positively with SLEDAI while negatively with the BR3 protein expression on CD19+ B cells (p < .05). The detected BR3 protein expression in SLE patients was reduced on CD19+IgD+CD27-, CD19+IgD+CD27+ as well as CD19+IgD-CD27+ B cells compared to the counterparts of healthy controls (p < .001), whereas SLE patients did not differ from healthy controls in BR3 mRNA levels. In untreated new-onset patients, the expression rate of BR3 on CD19+ B cells correlated negatively with SLEDAI (p < .05). Elevation of BAFF and reduction of BR3 on CD19+ B cells were more obvious in those with lupus nephritis (LN, p < .05). TACI expression on CD19+ B cells was up-regulated only in those subjects with LN (p < .05). Elevated plasma BAFF and reduced BR3 protein expression on peripheral B cells could act as biomarkers for active disease in SLE patients. High expression of TACI may indicate the occurrence of LN.

• Authors: L D Zhao, Y Li, M F Smith Jr, J S Wang, W Zhang, F L Tang, X P Tian, H Y Wang, F C Zhang, D N Ba, W He, X Zhang
• Journal: Lupus (Lupus) Vol. 19 Issue 13 Pg. 1534-49 (Nov 2010) ISSN: 1477-0962 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20974656 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• B-Cell Activating Factor
• B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor
• TNFRSF13B protein, human
• Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein
• Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Asian People
• B-Cell Activating Factor (blood, genetics)
• B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor (genetics)
• Case-Control Studies
• China
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Humans
• Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (genetics, physiopathology)
• Lupus Nephritis (genetics, physiopathology)
• Middle Aged
• Severity of Illness Index
• Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein (genetics)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13 (blood, genetics)
• Young Adult