Current Biology
Volume 11, Issue 19, 2 October 2001, Pages 1547-1552
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Brief communication
Identification of a novel receptor for B lymphocyte stimulator that is mutated in a mouse strain with severe B cell deficiency

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Abstract

BLyS (also called BAFF, TALL-1, THANK, and zTNF4), a TNF superfamily member, binds two receptors, TACI and BCMA, and regulates humoral immune responses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. These two receptors also bind APRIL 7, 8, 9, 10, another TNF superfamily member. The results from TACI−/− and BCMA−/− mice suggest the existence of additional receptor(s) for BLyS. The TACI knockout gives the paradoxical result of B cells being hyperresponsive, suggesting an inhibitory role for this receptor 11, 12, while BCMA null mice have no discernable phenotype [13]. Here we report the identification of a third BLyS receptor (BR3; BLyS receptor 3). This receptor is unique in that, in contrast to TACI and BCMA, BR3 only binds BLyS. Treatment of antigen-challenged mice with BR3-Fc inhibited antibody production, indicating an essential role for BLyS, but not APRIL, in this response. A critical role for BR3 in B cell ontogeny is underscored by our data showing that the BR3 gene had been inactivated by a discrete, approximately 4.7 kb gene insertion event that disrupted the 3′ end of the BR3 gene in A/WySnJ mice, which lack peripheral B cells.

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Iqbal S. Grewal Phone: (650) 225-3239; Fax: (650) 225-8221 E-mail: [email protected]