Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 8, 2025
Induction of Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of Effector CD4+CD45RBhigh T Cells into Immunodeficient Mice
Published on: April 21, 2015
B cell-activating factor (BAFF) in children with inflammatory bowel disease
Ioana Fodor1, Oana Serban2, Daniela E Serban3
13rd Pediatric Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Insights
Faecal B cell-activating factor (BAFF) shows promise for monitoring pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Higher fecal BAFF levels correlate with increased inflammation markers, suggesting its utility in tracking disease activity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Monitoring inflammation is crucial for managing pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- B cell-activating factor (BAFF) is being investigated as a potential biomarker for IBD follow-up.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) as a biomarker for monitoring pediatric IBD.
- To assess the correlation between BAFF levels and disease activity markers in children with IBD.
Main Methods:
- Serum and fecal BAFF levels were measured in 32 pediatric IBD patients (16 Crohn's disease, 16 ulcerative colitis).
- Fecal calprotectin (CP) was also measured.
- Control groups included 26 healthy children and 10 children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Main Results:
- Serum BAFF levels did not differ significantly between IBD, IBS, and healthy groups.
- Fecal BAFF levels were significantly higher in the pediatric IBD group compared to controls (p < 0.05).
- Fecal BAFF was notably higher in ulcerative colitis patients than in Crohn's disease patients (p = 0.015).
- Elevated fecal BAFF levels correlated with higher fecal calprotectin (CP) levels (>250 μg/g).
Conclusions:
- Fecal BAFF is a promising non-invasive biomarker for monitoring pediatric IBD activity.
- Higher fecal BAFF levels are associated with increased inflammation, as indicated by elevated CP.
- This study represents the first pediatric investigation of BAFF in IBD, highlighting its potential for tracking disease in mild or inactive cases.
Background:
Assessing the inflammation is important in the follow-up of paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aim to evaluate the value of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) in paediatric IBD as a potential biomarker for follow-up.
Method:
We determined BAFF in serum and faeces and faecal calprotectin (CP) in 32 IBD children-16 Crohn's disease (CD) and 16 ulcerative colitis (UC). Twenty-six healthy children and 10 children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were included as controls.
Results:
No differences were found in serum BAFF between IBD, IBS, and healthy group: 1037.35, 990.9 and 979.8 pg/ml, respectively, all p > 0.05, but faecal BAFF was higher in the IBD group: 15.1, 8.5 and 8.2 pg/ml, respectively, p < 0.05, and higher in the UC group (55.975 pg/ml) compared to the CD group (10.95 pg/ml), p = 0.015. Splitting the IBD group in relation to the CP level, the serum BAFF had no significantly different values between the subgroups, but the faecal BAFF was significantly higher in the >250 μg/g subgroup. Cut-off values of BAFF were calculated.
Conclusion:
Faecal BAFF is a promising marker for monitoring the children with IBD, higher levels of BAFF being correlated with high CP.
Impact:
Faecal BAFF is a promising marker in monitoring the children with IBD, higher levels of BAFF being correlated with high faecal calprotectin. To our knowledge, this is the first paediatric study concerning BAFF evaluation in IBD. Faecal BAFF levels could be considered a potential non-invasive marker in monitoring IBD activity in paediatric population with clinically mild or inactive disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:24B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:24Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
01:29Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:01Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells