BAFF belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, and its downstream signaling plays a critical role in B-cell survival and maturation. BAFF overproduction is associated with a variety of autoimmune diseases. BAFF is the functional ligand for three receptors:
BAFF-R, transmembrane activator and calcium modulator (TACI), and B-cell maturation Ag (BCMA). Varzaneh et al extensively review the contributions of a huge array of interleukins (ILs), interferons, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa), APRIL, and BAFF in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) disease1. Their study maps in detail the profiles of various cytokines as well as outlines their therapeutic potential. Another recent autoimmune review from Lanteri‘s group examined the role of serum free light chains of immunoglobulins (sFLC) in systemic sclerosis (SSc)2. Using a cohort of 134 SSc patients along with 401 matched controls; their studies shed some light on the utility of SFLCs as biomarkers for SSc characteristics, activity, and severity. Ng’s group at the Garvan Institute in Sydney used the BAFF antibody to investigate the relationship between BAFF and BAFF-R 3. Their data indicates that BAFF-R is not only important in splenic B-cell maturation, but the costimulation of circulating B- and T-cells as well. The BAFF antibody was used in a Nature Immunology publication by Huntington et al, where it was demonstrated that B-cell survival during germinal centre initiation is CD40-dependent, but that of propagation is not 4.
Novus Biologicals offers BAFF/BLyS/TNFSF13B reagents for your research needs including:
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