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BAFF production by antigen-presenting cells provides T cell co-stimulation
Bertrand Huard1, Lionel Arlettaz, Christine Ambrose
1Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, 1 rue Michel-Servet, 7211 Geneva 4, Switzerland. Bertrand.huard@medecine.unige.ch
International Immunology
|February 24, 2004
Summary
B cell-activating factor (BAFF) co-stimulates T cells. BAFF is expressed by antigen-presenting cells and T cells, influencing T cell activation and immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- B cell-activating factor from the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) is crucial for B cell immunity.
- Recent findings suggest BAFF also provides co-stimulatory signals to T cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate BAFF expression in peripheral blood leukocytes.
- To correlate BAFF expression with its co-stimulatory function in T cells.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of BAFF mRNA expression in dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells.
- Assessment of BAFF's functional role in T cell activation via blockade experiments.
Main Results:
- Antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including dendritic cells, express BAFF mRNA, with production enhanced by bacterial products.
- T cells exhibit low-level BAFF transcription, up-regulated upon T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation.
- Blocking endogenous BAFF produced by APCs and T cells inhibits T cell activation.
Conclusions:
- BAFF is expressed by APCs and T cells, indicating a role in T cell immunity.
- BAFF may regulate T cell responses during APC-T cell interactions and act as an autocrine factor for T cells.