BAFF receptor (B-cell activating factor receptor, BAFF-R), also known as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 13C (TNFRSF13C) and BLyS receptor 3 (BR3), is a membrane protein of the TNF receptor superfamily which recognizes BAFF, an essential factor for B cell maturation and survival.[5][6] In humans it is encoded by the TNFRSF13Cgene.[7]
B-cell activating factor (BAFF) enhances B-cell survival in vitro and is a regulator of the peripheral B-cell population. The protein encoded by this gene is a receptor for BAFF and is a type III transmembrane protein containing a single extracellular phenylalanine-rich domain. It is thought that this receptor is the principal receptor required for BAFF-mediated mature B-cell survival.[7] In B cell maturation, due to regulation by BAFF-R, only a limited amount of B-cell will survive.[8]
Overexpression of BAFF in mice results in mature B-cell hyperplasia and symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Also, some SLE patients have increased levels of BAFF in serum. Therefore, it has been proposed that abnormally high levels of BAFF may contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases by enhancing the survival of autoreactive B cells, which are cells that show immune response to normal body cells.[7] Autoreactive B cells are less sensitive toward BAFF and are usually outcompeted by the normal B cells in the maturation process regulated by low BAFF-R expression. An elevated level of BAFF-R can therefore overcome this decreased response and result in accumulation of autoreactive B cells.[8]
BAFF and BAFF-R pair can also down-regulate the cell apoptosis process.[9]
Treml LS, Crowley JE, Cancro MP (October 2006). "BLyS receptor signatures resolve homeostatically independent compartments among naïve and antigen-experienced B cells". Seminars in Immunology. 18 (5): 297–304. doi:10.1016/j.smim.2006.07.001. PMID16919470.
Kalled SL (October 2006). "Impact of the BAFF/BR3 axis on B cell survival, germinal center maintenance and antibody production". Seminars in Immunology. 18 (5): 290–6. doi:10.1016/j.smim.2006.06.002. PMID16931038.
Mackay F, Leung H (October 2006). "The role of the BAFF/APRIL system on T cell function". Seminars in Immunology. 18 (5): 284–9. doi:10.1016/j.smim.2006.04.005. PMID16931039.
Rolink AG, Melchers F (April 2002). "BAFFled B cells survive and thrive: roles of BAFF in B-cell development". Current Opinion in Immunology. 14 (2): 266–75. doi:10.1016/S0952-7915(02)00332-1. PMID11869903.
Kim HM, Yu KS, Lee ME, Shin DR, Kim YS, Paik SG, Yoo OJ, Lee H, Lee JO (May 2003). "Crystal structure of the BAFF-BAFF-R complex and its implications for receptor activation". Nature Structural Biology. 10 (5): 342–8. doi:10.1038/nsb925. hdl:10203/11495. PMID12715002. S2CID11294267.
Gordon NC, Pan B, Hymowitz SG, Yin J, Kelley RF, Cochran AG, Yan M, Dixit VM, Fairbrother WJ, Starovasnik MA (May 2003). "BAFF/BLyS receptor 3 comprises a minimal TNF receptor-like module that encodes a highly focused ligand-binding site". Biochemistry. 42 (20): 5977–83. doi:10.1021/bi034017g. PMID12755599.
