Novel function of TNF cytokines in regulating bone marrow B cell survival.
Two newly identified tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family cytokines, B cell activation factor from the TNF family (BAFF) and a proliferation- inducing ligand (APRIL), have recently been shown to enhance the maturation and survival of peripheral B cells. However, whether BAFF and APRIL are expressed in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment and if these two cytokines modulate early B cell development remain unclear. In the present study, we have detected the abundant expression of BAFF and APRIL transcripts in BM non-lymphoid cells. Low levels of BAFF and APRIL mRNA are also found in developing B cells. Furthermore, we have determined the expression patterns of BAFF receptors during B lymphopoiesis. In cultures, both recombinant BAFF and APRIL significantly promote the survival of precursor B cells whereas only BAFF can suppress apoptosis of immature B cells. These findings suggest that BAFF and APRIL, in addition to their well established role in regulating peripheral B cell growth, can modulate the survival of developing B cells in the BM.[1]References
- Novel function of TNF cytokines in regulating bone marrow B cell survival. Zhang, M., Ko, K.H., Lam, Q.L., Lo, C.K., Xu, D.J., Shen, L., Zheng, B., Srivastava, G., Lu, L. Cell. Mol. Immunol. (2004) [Pubmed]
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