sBAFF mutants induce neutralizing antibodies against BAFF

B cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) is a novel member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family and plays an important role in B lymphocyte maturation and survival. Overexpression of BAFF is closely involved in the pathogenesis and progression of many kinds of autoimmune disorders; therefore, BAFF has been considered as an ideal therapeutic target for these conditions. In this study, we generated several candidate immune inhibitors of human BAFF by conjugating foreign immunodominant T-helper cell (Th) epitopes to the N- or C-terminus of five BAFF mutants. The recombined proteins were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and purified by Ni-NTA chromatography. BALB/c mice immunized with the recombinant proteins produced high levels of anti-BAFF antibodies, and their sera inhibited the lymphocyte proliferation-inducing activity of recombinant soluble BAFF and natural soluble BAFF. Moreover, antibodies cross-reactive with BAFF were detected in sera from hu-SCID mice immunized with the recombinant proteins. These results indicated that the recombinant BAFF mutants modified with Th epitopes could induce neutralizing antibodies against BAFF in vivo. This study may provide a valuable strategy for treating BAFF-associated autoimmune diseases.