Exploring BAFF: its expression, receptors and contribution to the immunopathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome

  • Rheumatology (Oxford). 2016 Sep;55(9):1548-55. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kev420.
Nicolyn Thompson  1 ,  David A Isenberg  1 ,  Elizabeth C Jury  2 ,  Coziana Ciurtin  2
Affiliations
  • 1. Centre for Rheumatology Research, Department of Medicine, University College London, London, UK.
  • 2. Centre for Rheumatology Research, Department of Medicine, University College London, London, UK [email protected].
PMID: 26790457 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kev420
Abstract

SS is an autoimmune condition characterized by exocrine gland destruction, autoantibody production, immune complex deposition and systemic complications associated with lymphocytic infiltration of many organs. Genetic, environmental and viral factors play a role in disease aetiology, however, the exact mechanisms driving the immunopathogenesis of SS remain uncertain. Here we discuss a role for B cell activating factor (BAFF), whereby B cell hyperactivity and increased BAFF secretion observed in patients and animal models of the disease can be explained by the altered expression of cell-specific BAFF/BAFF Receptor (BAFF-R) variants in several immune cell types. Understanding the role of BAFF/BAFF-R heterogeneity in SS pathogenesis could help to facilitate new treatment strategies for patients.

Keywords
B cell activating factor (BAFF); BAFF receptor; Sjögren’s syndrome.
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