Abstract
The development of the B cell lineage has been extensively studied along with the soluble and cellular components involved in the maturation and selection process. It was not always clear, however, what factors were involved in supporting mature B cell survival. Identification of the B cell survival factor, BAFF, was a key discovery in understanding the survival mechanism for mature B cells in the periphery. More recent investigations have illuminated roles for BAFF in B cell biology outside of a survival mechanism. These include germinal center maintenance, isotype switching, and regulation of specific B cell surface markers. More importantly, a role for BAFF in B cell biology has been validated in vivo in humans.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antibody Formation / immunology
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Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
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Autoimmunity / immunology
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B-Cell Activating Factor / deficiency
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B-Cell Activating Factor / genetics
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B-Cell Activating Factor / immunology*
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B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor / deficiency
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B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor / genetics
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B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor / immunology*
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
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Cell Differentiation
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Cell Survival
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Germinal Center / immunology
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Humans
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Leukemia, B-Cell / immunology
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Lymphocyte Cooperation
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Lymphoma, B-Cell / immunology
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Mice
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Primates / immunology
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Species Specificity
Substances
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B-Cell Activating Factor
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B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor
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TNFRSF13C protein, human
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TNFSF13B protein, human
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Tnfrsf13c protein, mouse
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Tnfsf13b protein, mouse