All B cells need is BAFF

B cells usually conspire with T cells to break tolerance against the host and cause lupus. But Groom et al. (page 1959) now show that B cells don't always need T cells to egg them on. An activating cytokine empowers them to cause trouble all on their own.

This cytokine, called BAFF (B cell–activating factor), helps B cells survive as they transit through developmental checkpoints. BAFF also enhances T cell activation. With too much BAFF, however, even B cells that should have been eliminated—such as self-reactive ones—survive. The autoreactive antibodies first secreted by these cells are relatively harmless. But presumably with help from BAFF-activated T cells, these B cells switch their antibody genes and start producing pathogenic autoantibodies.

Groom et al. now find that the antibody-switching signal doesn't have to come from...