TACI and BCMA stimulation of B cell immune responses.
Full description or abstract
TACI and BCMA signal transduction pathway that enhances cell survival APRIL and BAFF (also called TALL-I and BLyS) are TNF family members that act as ligands for the BCMA and TACI receptors. Both APRIL and BAFF bind to both the BCMA and TACI receptors to activate the humoral immune response, stimulating B cell immunoglobulin production and proliferation. BAFF is found as a membrane bound form in T cells and a soluble form that is released from the cell to stimulate B cell proliferation and differentiation. As members of the TNF receptor gene family, BCMA and TACI interact with TRAF family members to transduce signals downstream to NF-kappaB activation and MAP kinase pathways. Abnormally active BAFF or APRIL signaling may play a role in autoimmune disorders such as lupus.
