Function, occurrence and inhibition of different forms of BAFF.

Abstract

B cell activating factor (BAFF or BLyS), an important cytokine for B cell survival and humoral immune responses, is targeted in the clinic for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. This review focuses on the structure, function and inhibition profiles of membrane-bound BAFF, soluble BAFF 3-mer and soluble BAFF 60-mer, all of which have distinct properties. BAFF contains a loop region not required for receptor binding but essential for receptor activation via promotion of BAFF-to-BAFF contacts. This loop region additionally allows formation of BAFF 60-mer, in which epitopes of the BAFF inhibitor belimumab are inaccessible. If 60-mer forms in humans, it is predicted to be short-lived and to act locally because adult serum contains a BAFF 60-mer dissociating activity. Cord blood contains elevated levels of BAFF, part of which displays attributes of 60-mer, suggesting a role for this form of BAFF in the development of foetal or neonate B cells.

• Authors: Mahya Eslami, Pascal Schneider
• Journal: Current opinion in immunology (Curr Opin Immunol) Vol. 71 Pg. 75-80 (08 2021) ISSN: 1879-0372 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34182216 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• B-Cell Activating Factor
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• TNFSF13B protein, human
• belimumab

Topics

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized (pharmacology)
• B-Cell Activating Factor (antagonists & inhibitors, immunology)
• B-Lymphocytes (drug effects, immunology)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (pharmacology)