Interaction of the TNF homologues BLyS and APRIL with the TNF receptor homologues BCMA and TACI

Curr Biol. 2000 Jun 29;10(13):785-8. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(00)00566-2.

Abstract

BLyS (also called TALL-1, THANK, or BAFF) [1] [2] [3] [4] is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene family that stimulates proliferation and immunoglobulin production by B cells. BLyS interacts with the TNF receptor (TNFR) homologue TACI (transmembrane activator and CAML-interactor) [5], and treatment of mice with a TACI-Fc fusion protein abolishes germinal center formation after antigenic challenge [6]. Here we report a novel interaction between BLyS and another TNFR homologue, BCMA (B cell maturation antigen) [7] [8]. Further, the TNF homologue APRIL [9], a close relative of BLyS, also bound to BCMA and TACI. BLyS or APRIL activated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) through TACI and BCMA, and each ligand stimulated immunoglobulin M (IgM) production by peripheral blood B cells. These results define a dual ligand-receptor system that may play an important role in humoral immunity.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • B-Cell Maturation Antigen
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetinae
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / metabolism
  • Leukocytes / cytology
  • Leukocytes / drug effects
  • Leukocytes / immunology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / genetics
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / pharmacology
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism*

Substances

  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • B-Cell Maturation Antigen
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NF-kappa B
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • TNFRSF13B protein, human
  • TNFRSF17 protein, human
  • TNFSF13 protein, human
  • TNFSF13B protein, human
  • Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha