Expression of BAFF and BR3 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the expression of B cell activating factor (BAFF) and BAFF receptor in patients with disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Real-time RT-PCR was used to examine BAFF mRNA expression in peripheral blood monocytes of active and stable SLE patients and healthy controls. The percentage of BAFF receptor 3 (BR3) on B lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometry. Soluble BAFF levels in serum were assayed by ELISA. Microalbumin levels were assayed by an automatic immune analysis machine. BAFF mRNA and soluble BAFF levels were highest in the active SLE group, followed by the stable SLE group, and controls (P<0.01). The percentage of BR3 on B lymphocytes was downregulated in the active SLE group compared with the stable SLE group and controls (P<0.01). BAFF mRNA levels and soluble BAFF levels were higher in patients who were positive for proteinuria than in those who were negative (P<0.01). The percentage of BR3 on B lymphocytes was lower in patients who were positive for proteinuria than in those who were negative (P<0.01). The BAFF/BR3 axis may be over-activated in SLE patients. BAFF and BR3 levels may be useful parameters for evaluating treatment.

BAFF Blockade Attenuates Inflammatory Responses and Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in a Murine Endotoxemia Model

“…Accumulating evidence shows that BAFF is a crucial regulatory mediator in several inflammatory diseases (8). For example, BAFF expression is enhanced in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, and is positively associated with disease activity (19,20). Elevated BAFF levels were also found in the gastric mucosa of Helicobacter (Hp) positive patients with chronic gastritis (21).…”

B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF) and Its Receptors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…[28] Additionally, The expression of BAFF-R on CD19+ cells (B cells) in active SLE patients was elevated in stable SLE patients. (Duan, J.H., et al, 2016) Although BAFF-R stands as a specific receptor for both soluble and membrane-bound BAFF, TACI and BCMA can also bind to them. (Liu, Z., A. Davidson, 2011) This study showed significant elevation of TACI&decrease of BCMA levels in RA &SLE cases in comparison with control subjects.…”

The Roles of the TNF-Family Member B-Cell Activation Factor Belonging to the TNF-Family (BAFF) in Autoimmunity

“…The expression of BAFF-R on CD19+ cells (B cells) in active SLE patients was downregulated compared to those in stable SLE patients and controls and the expression of BAFF-R on CD19+ cells was negatively correlated with serum BAFF levels and BAFF mRNA levels in PBMCs [74]. Thus, elevated BAFF in serum and PBMCs and a reduced expression of BAFF-R and overexpression of TACI on B cells were demonstrated in SLE.…”

“…In another SLE cohort of 60 patients, the peripheral blood leukocyte levels of BAFF mRNA were correlated with the serum BAFF protein levels and the BAFF mRNA levels were more closely associated with serum immunoglobulin levels and SLEDAI scores than were the serum BAFF protein levels [73]. In 75 SLE patients, elevated serum BAFF and elevated PBMC BAFF mRNA levels in active SLE patients were observed compared with those in stable SLE patients and controls and those levels in active SLE patients with proteinuria were higher than those in active SLE patients without proteinuria [74].…”