Recent studies of two newcomers to the TNF cytokine family have revealed an unsuspected link between autoimmunity and cancer. In this issue, Rennert et. al. 1 define the specific receptors for the orphan ligand known as APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand), which was previously recognized for its growth stimulating activity for tumors of lymphoid, colon, and thyroid origin 2. APRIL binds cell surface receptors B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI) (see also reference 3); a soluble decoy form of BCMA that antagonizes APRIL's activity inhibits the growth of tumors that naturally overexpress APRIL. What makes this observation biologically intriguing is that the two receptors, BCMA and TACI, were just very recently recognized as receptors for another TNF family member, BAFF, a B lymphocyte activating factor. BAFF is implicated as a key cytokine sustaining...
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4 December 2000
Commentary|
December 04 2000
April and Baff Connect Autoimmunity and Cancer
Carl F. Ware
Carl F. Ware
aDivision of Molecular Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, San Diego, California 92121
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Carl F. Ware
aDivision of Molecular Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, San Diego, California 92121
Received:
October 30 2000
Accepted:
October 31 2000
Online ISSN: 1540-9538
Print ISSN: 0022-1007
© 2000 The Rockefeller University Press
2000
The Rockefeller University Press
J Exp Med (2000) 192 (11): F35–F38.
Article history
Received:
October 30 2000
Accepted:
October 31 2000
Citation
Carl F. Ware; April and Baff Connect Autoimmunity and Cancer. J Exp Med 4 December 2000; 192 (11): F35–F38. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.192.11.F35
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