B-cell stage and context-dependent requirements for survival signals from BAFF and the B-cell receptor

Abstract

One remarkable feature of the immune system is its capacity to maintain constant numbers of resting immune cells despite the complex nature of signals needed throughout development and maturation. For many years, B-cell survival was thought to rely solely on B-cell receptor (BCR) tonic signals that would trigger necessary basal survival pathways. The discovery of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like ligand BAFF(B-cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family)BLyS (B-lymphocyte stimulator) changed these views entirely, as BAFF-deficient mice lack most mature B cells, and treatment with BAFF inhibitors leads to their loss, establishing BAFF as an unappreciated key B-cell survival factor. ..