B-cell maturation protein, which binds the tumor necrosis factor family members BAFF and APRIL, is dispensable for humoral immune responses

S Xu, KP Lam - Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2001 - Taylor & Francis
Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2001Taylor & Francis
B-cell maturation protein (BCMA) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor
family and is expressed in B lymphocytes. BCMA binds two TNF family members, BAFF and
APRIL, that stimulate cellular proliferation. BAFF in particular has been shown to influence B-
cell survival and activation, and transgenic mice overexpressing BAFF have a lupus-like
autoimmune disorder. We have inactivated BCMA in the mouse germ line. BCMA−/− mice
have normal B-cell development, and the life span of mutant B lymphocytes is comparable to …
B-cell maturation protein (BCMA) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family and is expressed in B lymphocytes. BCMA binds two TNF family members, BAFF and APRIL, that stimulate cellular proliferation. BAFF in particular has been shown to influence B-cell survival and activation, and transgenic mice overexpressing BAFF have a lupus-like autoimmune disorder. We have inactivated BCMA in the mouse germ line. BCMA−/− mice have normal B-cell development, and the life span of mutant B lymphocytes is comparable to that of wild-type B cells. The humoral immune responses of BCMA−/− mice to T-cell-independent antigens as well as high and low doses of T-cell-dependent antigens are also intact. In addition, mutant mice have normal splenic architecture, and germinal centers are formed during an ongoing immune response. These data suggest a functional redundancy of BCMA in B-cell physiology that is probably due to the presence of TACI, another TNF receptor family member that is expressed on B cells and that can also bind BAFF and APRIL.
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