Cutting Edge: BAFF Overexpression Reduces Atherosclerosis via TACI-Dependent B Cell Activation.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus exhibit accelerated atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall. The impact of B cells in atherosclerosis is controversial, with both protective and pathogenic roles described. For example, natural IgM binding conserved oxidized lipid epitopes protect against atherosclerosis, whereas anti-oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) IgG likely promotes disease. Because BAFF promotes B cell class-switch recombination and humoral autoimmunity, we hypothesized that excess BAFF would accelerate atherosclerosis. In contrast, BAFF overexpression markedly reduced hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic mice. BAFF-mediated atheroprotection required B cells and was associated with increased protective anti-oxLDL IgM</a>. Surprisingly, high-titer anti-oxLDL IgM</a> production and reduced atherosclerosis was dependent on the BAFF family receptor transmembrane activator and CAML interactor. In summary, we identified a novel role for B cell-specific, BAFF-dependent transmembrane activator and CAML interactor signals in atherosclerosis pathogenesis, of particular relevance to the use of BAFF-targeted therapies in systemic lupus erythematosus. Copyright © 2016 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Citation

Shaun W Jackson, Nicole E Scharping, Holly M Jacobs, Shari Wang, Alan Chait, David J Rawlings. Cutting Edge: BAFF Overexpression Reduces Atherosclerosis via TACI-Dependent B Cell Activation. Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950). 2016 Dec 15;197(12):4529-4534

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PMID: 27837104

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