Medical Hypotheses
Volume 70, Issue 1 , Pages 40-42, 2008

BAFF – an essential survival factor for B cells: Links to genesis of ITP and may be of therapeutic target

  • Hui-ming Yu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Haematology, Shandong University, Qilu Hospital, No. 107, Wen Hua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
    • Department of Medical Diagnosis, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
    • ,
  • Yun-fang Liu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medical Diagnosis, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
    • ,
  • Ming Hou

      Affiliations

    • Department of Haematology, Shandong University, Qilu Hospital, No. 107, Wen Hua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +86 531 88380101; fax: +86 531 86169356.

Received 27 April 2007; accepted 1 May 2007. published online 26 June 2007.

Summary 

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by the production of antiplatelet antibodies secreted by B cells resulting in enhanced destruction of platelets by macrophages. B cells have been demonstrated to play a critical role in the genesis of ITP.

Recently identified B cells activating factor of the TNF ligand family (BAFF) is essential in their physiology which can promote B cells development, survival, proliferation and maturation, then the secretion of more antibodies. In the pathological conditions of ITP, there is an overproduction of BAFF. Therefore, we propose that BAFF plays, at least in part, an important role in the pathogenesis of ITP and offers the opportunity to improve our therapeutic approach.

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PII: S0306-9877(07)00324-6

doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2007.05.005

Medical Hypotheses
Volume 70, Issue 1 , Pages 40-42, 2008

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