TNF Deficiency Fails to Protect BAFF Transgenic Mice against Autoimmunity and Reveals a Predisposition to B Cell Lymphoma

Abstract

TNF is well characterized as a mediator of inflammatory responses. TNF also facilitates organization of secondary lymphoid organs, particularly B cell follicles and germinal centers, a hallmark of T-dependent Ab responses. TNF also mediates defense against tumors. We examined the role of TNF in the development of inflammatory autoimmune disorders resembling systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome induced by excess B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF), by generating BAFF-transgenic (Tg) mice lacking TNF. TNF-/- BAFF-Tg mice resembled TNF-/- mice, in that they lacked B cell follicles, follicular dendritic cells, and germinal centers, and have impaired respons..