Characteristics of BAFF and APRIL factor expression in multiple myeloma and clinical significance

Abstract

The characteristics of the proliferation of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and the proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) mRNA expression in mononuclear cell in multiple myeloma patients were detected, and the correlation was analyzed between the BAFF and APRIL concentrations in plasma and tumor burden parameters of multiple myeloma. Bone marrow samples from 60 patients with multiple myeloma and 20 healthy persons taken as controls, were collected. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) were harvested, and plasma was extracted. BAFF and APRIL mRNA expression was quantified using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR in the BMMCs. ELISA was used to detect the characteristics of gene and protein expression of BAFF and APRIL in KM3 cell line. The BAFF and APRIL mRNA expression in initial treatment group, remission group and non-remission group were markedly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The expression in initial treatment group and non-remission group was markedly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). APRIL mRNA expression in mononuclear cells in stage III patients was markedly higher than that in stage II patients (P<0.05). There was positive correlation between APRIL and BAFF concentration in multiple myeloma (P=0.0027). In conclusion, for the gene and protein expression of BAFF and APRIL in patients with multiple myeloma, the initial treatment group and non-remission are higher than control and remission group. The higher the stage was, the more the factors were expressed. Characteristics of expression of BAFF and APRIL may be used as a new index to evaluate the prognosis of multiple myeloma.

BCMA-targeted immunotherapy for multiple myeloma

“…MM cell lines had significantly reduced growth when xenografted in APRIL−/− mice [48]. In MM patients, the serum levels of APRIL and BAFF are elevated about 5-fold over those in the healthy controls [42], and the more advanced the stage of MM is, the higher concentration of ligands is detected [49]. Studies have shown that MM cells could stimulate osteoclasts to produce more APRIL which contributes to an immunosuppressive BM microenvironment [40,50].…”

Emerging Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

“…The cytokines BAFF (B-cell activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferationinducing ligand) have received much attention in recent years for their roles in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases [40]. In addition, there is evidence that these two homologous members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily play roles in myeloma cell viability and proliferation [41]. Two other TNF family members -transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) and B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), located on the surface of myeloma cells, serve as ligands for both BAFF and APRIL [42].…”

B-Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) as a Target for New Drug Development in Relapsed and/or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

“…B-cell activating factor (BAFF; BLyS; TALL-1) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) are two homologous members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily [ 6 , 7 ] that have received much recent attention for their roles in the pathology of lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases [ 8 , 9 ]. There also is evidence that the production of both of these cytokines in the bone marrow microenvironment plays a key role in the viability and proliferation of myeloma cells [ 10 ]. Moreover, MM disease progression and prognosis have been linked with BAFF and APRIL serum levels [ 11 ].…”