Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0024141 (systemic lupus erythematosus)
 44,322 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

B cells are important in the development of autoimmune disorders by mechanisms involving dysregulated polyclonal B-cell activation, production of pathogenic antibodies, and co-stimulation of autoreactive T cells. zTNF4 (BLyS, BAFF, TALL-1, THANK) is a member of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family that is a potent co-activator of B cells in vitro and in vivo. Here we identify two receptors for zTNF4 and demonstrate a relationship between zTNF4 and autoimmune disease. Transgenic animals overexpressing zTNF4 in lymphoid cells develop symptoms characteristic of systemic lupus erythaematosus (SLE) and expand a rare population of splenic B-Ia lymphocytes. In addition, circulating zTNF4 is more abundant in NZBWF1 and MRL-lpr/lpr mice during the onset and progression of SLE. We have identified two TNF receptor family members, TACI and BCMA, that bind zTNF4. Treatment of NZBWF1 mice with soluble TACI-Ig fusion protein inhibits the development of proteinuria and prolongs survival of the animals. These findings demonstrate the involvement of zTNF4 and its receptors in the development of SLE and identify TACI-Ig as a promising treatment of autoimmune disease in humans.
 ...
PMID:TACI and BCMA are receptors for a TNF homologue implicated in B-cell autoimmune disease. 1080 Nov 12

We and others recently reported tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and apoptosis ligand-related leukocyte-expressed ligand 1 (TALL-1) as a novel member of the TNF ligand family that is functionally involved in B cell proliferation. Transgenic mice overexpressing TALL-1 have severe B cell hyperplasia and lupus-like autoimmune disease. Here, we describe expression cloning of a cell surface receptor for TALL-1 from a human Burkitt's lymphoma RAJI cell library. The cloned receptor is identical to the previously reported TNF receptor (TNFR) homologue transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand (CAML) interactor (TACI). Murine TACI was subsequently isolated from the mouse B lymphoma A20 cells. Human and murine TACI share 54% identity overall. Human TACI exhibits high binding affinities to both human and murine TALL-1. Soluble TACI extracellular domain protein specifically blocks TALL-1-mediated B cell proliferation without affecting CD40- or lipopolysaccharide-mediated B cell proliferation in vitro. In addition, when injected into mice, soluble TACI inhibits antibody production to both T cell-dependent and -independent antigens. By yeast two-hybrid screening of a B cell library with TACI intracellular domain, we identified that, like many other TNFR family members, TACI intracellular domain interacts with TNFR-associated factor (TRAF)2, 5, and 6. Correspondingly, TACI activation in a B cell line results in nuclear factor kappaB and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase activation. The identification and characterization of the receptor for TALL-1 provides useful information for the development of a treatment for B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
 ...
PMID:TACI is a TRAF-interacting receptor for TALL-1, a tumor necrosis factor family member involved in B cell regulation. 1088 May 35

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.
 ...
PMID:B-cell maturation protein, which binds the tumor necrosis factor family members BAFF and APRIL, is dispensable for humoral immune responses. 1135 13

BCMA (TNFRSF17), along with TACI, has recently been demonstrated to be a receptor for BLyS (TNFSF13B). Recent studies indicated substantial role of BLyS signaling pathway for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In the present study, we made an attempt to screen for polymorphisms of human BCMA, and to test their possible association with SLE and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected within the coding sequence, both of which were synonymous substitutions. In addition, two SNPs within the promoter, two SNPs in the 5'-untranslated region (UTR), one SNP and one single nucleotide deletion in the 3'UTR and four rare variations were detected. From the combination of the polymorphisms, it was elucidated that four major haplotypes account for most of the genotypes in the Japanese population. Association with SLE and RA was not detected, although a slight tendency for the increase of BCMA.03 in SLE was observed (P = 0.089). These results indicated that human BCMA is conserved with respect to the amino acid sequence, and evidence for association with SLE and RA was not observed.
 ...
PMID:Presence of four major haplotypes in human BCMA gene: lack of association with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. 1152 22

The B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), also known as BAFF, THANK, TALL-1 and zTNF4, is the most recent addition to the tumor necrosis factor family (TNF) ligands and has a unique role in B cell immunity. Its requirement for the humoral immune response is evident in mice lacking BlyS, which exhibit profound deficiencies in peripheral B cell development and maturation. It regulates the antibody response, as shown in mice overexpressing BLyS, which develop autoimmune manifestations resulting from peripheral B cell expansion and differentiation. Attenuation of apoptosis appears to underlie BLyS action in B cells. However, elucidation of the mechanism of BLyS has proven to be more challenging, because BLyS binds three different TNF receptors (TACI/BCMA/BAFF-R) and shares overlapping functions with a related TNF ligand, APRIL. The unique role of BLyS in B cell development and differentiation and the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in particular, makes the study of BLyS and its downstream targets attractive in the development of novel therapies.
 ...
PMID:Mechanism of BLyS action in B cell immunity. 1175 Aug 77

TALL-1 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor family that binds to BCMA, TACI, and BAFF-R, three receptors mostly expressed by mature B lymphocytes. Previous studies have shown that the TALL-1 signaling is critically involved in B cell proliferation, maturation, and progression of lupus-like, autoimmune diseases. In this report, we performed cDNA subtractive hybridization experiments to identify downstream genes up-regulated by TALL-1. These experiments indicated that 10 genes, including interleukin (IL)-10, lymphocyte activation gene-1 (LAG-1), GCP-2, PBEF, ferritin, PIM-2, TFG, CD27 ligand, DUSP5, and archain, were up-regulated at the mRNA level by TALL-1 stimulation in B lymphoma RPMI-8226 cells and/or primary B lymphocytes. We also demonstrated that TALL-1 activated transcription of IL-10 and LAG-1 in a nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent manner in reporter gene assays. Moreover, our findings indicated BAFF-R, but not TACI, could dramatically up-regulate IL-10 secretion by RPMI-8226 cells. The identification of TALL-1-up-regulated genes will help explain the mechanisms of TALL-1-triggered biological and pathological effects and to identify molecular targets for intervention of lupus-like autoimmune diseases.
 ...
PMID:Identification of downstream genes up-regulated by the tumor necrosis factor family member TALL-1. 1214 33

The TNF-like ligand BAFF/BLyS is a potent survival factor for B cells. It binds three receptors: TACI, BCMA, and BR3. We show that BR3 signaling promotes processing of the transcription factor NF-kappaB2/p100 to p52. NF-kappaB2/p100 cleavage was abrogated in B cells from A/WySnJ mice possessing a mutant BR3 gene, but not in TACI or BCMA null B cells. Furthermore, wild-type mice injected with BAFF-neutralizing BR3-Fc protein showed reduced basal NF-kappaB2 activation. BR3-Fc treatment of NZB/WF1 mice, which develop a fatal lupus-like syndrome, inhibited NF-kappaB2 processing and attenuated the disease process. Since inhibiting the BR3-BAFF interaction has therapeutic ramifications, the ligand binding interface of BR3 was investigated and found to reside within a 26 residue core domain. When stabilized within a structured beta-hairpin peptide, six of these residues were sufficient to confer binding to BAFF.
 ...
PMID:BAFF/BLyS receptor 3 binds the B cell survival factor BAFF ligand through a discrete surface loop and promotes processing of NF-kappaB2. 1238 44

TALL-1 is a member of the TNF family that is critically involved in B cell survival, maturation, and progression of lupus-like autoimmune diseases. TALL-1 has three receptors, including BCMA, TACI, and BAFF-R, which are mostly expressed by B lymphocytes. Gene knockout studies have indicated that BAFF-R is the major stimulatory receptor for TALL-1 signaling and is required for normal B cell development. The intracellular signaling mechanisms of BAFF-R are not known. In this report, we attempted to identify BAFF-R-associated downstream proteins by yeast two-hybrid screening. This effort identified TNFR-associated factor (TRAF)3 as a protein specifically interacting with BAFF-R in yeast two-hybrid assays. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicated that BAFF-R interacts with TRAF3 in B lymphoma cells and this interaction is stimulated by TALL-1 treatment. Domain mapping experiments indicated that both a 6-aa membrane proximal region and the C-terminal 35 aa of BAFF-R are required for its interaction with TRAF3. Moreover, overexpression of TRAF3 inhibits BAFF-R-mediated NF-kappaB activation and IL-10 production. Taken together, our findings suggest that TRAF3 is a negative regulator of BAFF-R-mediated NF-kappaB activation and IL-10 production.
 ...
PMID:TNFR-associated factor-3 is associated with BAFF-R and negatively regulates BAFF-R-mediated NF-kappa B activation and IL-10 production. 1247 Nov 21

BAFF, a member of the family of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) ligands, is essential for the development of peripheral mature, long lived B lymphocytes. It binds to three different receptors, BCMA, TACI, and BAFF-R, which are all members of the family of TNF receptors. Defects in the genes encoding BAFF or BAFF-R abolish the generation of mature B cells. BAFF is made by myeloid cells whereas BAFF-R is expressed preferentially on B cells. BAFF induces polyclonal maturation of resting, short lived immature B cells to resting, long lived mature B cells without proliferation. Lupus erythematodes prone mice have elevated blood levels of BAFF, and treatment of these mice with the BAFF decoy receptor (BCMA-Ig) prevents the onset of this systemic autoimmune disease. Human lupus patients also have elevated blood levels of BAFF. Treatment with BAFF neutralising agents (decoy receptors, monoclonal antibodies) should prevent, delay, or, at least, slow down the disease.
 ...
PMID:Actions of BAFF in B cell maturation and its effects on the development of autoimmune disease. 1453 43

A paradigm shift in our understanding of autoimmune disease pathology is underway; B cells are now considered to play a central role in disease pathogenesis. Targeting B cells may prove to be an effective route for the development of novel therapeutics. BLyS, a member of the TNF family of cytokines, is an essential survival factor for B cells. Constitutive BLyS overexpression in mice leads to an autoimmune phenotype similar to lupus nephritis. Clinically, BLyS is elevated in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. BLyS ablation results in a block of B cell development in which mature B cells are absent. BLyS binds to three receptors, BR3, TACI and BCMA. Analysis of the receptors suggests that the major pro-survival signals are mediated by BR3, while TACI is involved in negative signaling. BCMA is required for survival of long-lived plasma cells. BLyS signaling results in upregulation of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 family members. In animal models of autoimmune disease, BLyS antagonists reduce disease severity and delay disease progression. BLyS is an attractive target for antagonism in autoimmune diseases. Multiple approaches are being taken to antagonize BLyS including a fully human antibody and soluble BLyS receptors. These approaches are currently being tested in clinical trials.
 ...
PMID:BLyS--an essential survival factor for B cells: basic biology, links to pathology and therapeutic target. 1528 3


1 2 3 4 Next >>