The two ligands B cell-activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and the three receptors BAFF receptor (BAFF-R), transmembrane activator and calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI), and B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) are members of the “BAFF system molecules.” BAFF system molecules are primarily involved in B cell homeostasis. The relevance of BAFF system molecules in host responses to microbial assaults has been investigated in clinical studies and in mice deficient for each of these molecules. Many microbial products modulate the expression of these molecules. Data from clinical studies suggest a correlation between increased expression levels of BAFF system molecules and elevated B cell responses. Depending on the pathogen, heightened B cell responses may strengthen the host response or promote susceptibility. Whereas pathogen-mediated increases in the expression levels of the ligands and/or the receptors appear to promote microbial clearance, certain pathogens have evolved to ablate B cell responses by suppressing the expression of TACI and/or BAFF-R on B cells. Other than its well-established role in B cell responses, the TACI-mediated activation of macrophages is also implicated in resistance to intracellular pathogens. An improved understanding of the role that BAFF system molecules play in infection may assist in devising novel strategies for vaccine development.

中文翻译：

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BAFF系统分子在宿主对病原体反应中的作用[综述]

肿瘤坏死因子家族的两个配体B细胞激活因子（BAFF）和增殖诱导配体（APRIL）以及三个受体BAFF受体（BAFF-R），跨膜激活剂和钙调节亲环素配体相互作用体（TACI） B细胞成熟抗原（BCMA）是“ BAFF系统分子”的成员。BAFF系统分子主要参与B细胞稳态。在临床研究和缺乏这些分子的小鼠中，已经研究了BAFF系统分子与宿主对微生物攻击的反应之间的相关性。许多微生物产物调节这些分子的表达。来自临床研究的数据表明，BAFF系统分子的表达水平升高与B细胞反应升高之间存在相关性。根据病原体 B细胞反应增强可能会增强宿主反应或促进易感性。尽管病原体介导的配体和/或受体表达水平的增加似乎促进了微生物清除，但某些病原体已通过抑制TACI和/或BAFF-R在B细胞上的表达来消融B细胞反应。除了在B细胞反应中已确立的作用外，TACI介导的巨噬细胞活化还涉及对细胞内病原体的抗性。对BAFF系统分子在感染中所起作用的进一步了解可能有助于设计新的疫苗开发策略。某些病原体已经通过抑制TACI和/或BAFF-R在B细胞上的表达而进化为消除B细胞的反应。除了在B细胞反应中已确立的作用外，TACI介导的巨噬细胞活化还涉及对细胞内病原体的抗性。对BAFF系统分子在感染中所起作用的进一步了解可能有助于设计新的疫苗开发策略。某些病原体已经通过抑制TACI和/或BAFF-R在B细胞上的表达而进化为消除B细胞的反应。除了在B细胞反应中已确立的作用外，TACI介导的巨噬细胞活化还涉及对细胞内病原体的抗性。对BAFF系统分子在感染中所起作用的进一步了解可能有助于设计新的疫苗开发策略。