Role of the cytokine BAFF in autoimmune diseases: physiopathology and therapeutic targets

The BAFF complex (B cell activator factor) composed by the BAFF cytokine, APRIL and their receptors – BAFF-R (BR3), TACI, BCMA – influences B-lymphocyte maturation, peripheral survival and immunoglobulins class isotype switching, with multiple potential clinical implications. In this review we discuss BAFF biologic functions and it relevance in several clinical disorders – autoimmune, neoplastic, infectious and BAFF therapies. BAFF/APRIL serum levels are increased in autoimmune diseases where their concentrations are related with disease antibodies titles, activity, progression and inclusive organic compromise, making its inhibition an important therapeutic target.