Polyclonal Antibody to BLyS/BAFF/THANK/TALL-1 (CT)

Background
Members in the TNF superfamily regulate immune responses and induce apoptosis. A novel member in the TNF family was recently identified by several groups and designated BAFF (for Bcell Activating Factor belonging to the TNF Family), BLyS (for B Lymphocyte Stimulator), TALL-1, and THANK.  BAFF was characterized as a Bcell activator since it induced Bcell proliferation and immunoglobulin secretion. Three receptors for BAFF have been identified and designated TACI, BCMA and BAFF-R (5,6). BAFF and its receptors are essential for Bcell development, survival, and humoral immune responses. BAFF is involved in the development of autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythaematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Antigen
Human BAFF (CT) peptide was used as immunogen for this antibody.

Genebank Info (Protein)
NP_006564

Reference
1. Moore
2. Schneider P, MacKay F, Steiner V, et al. BAFF, a novel ligand of the tumor necrosis factor family, stimulates B cell growth. J Exp Med 1999;189:1747-56
3. Shu HB, Hu WH, Johnson H. TALL-1 is a novel member of the TNF family that is down-regulated by mitogens. J Leukoc Biol 1999;65:680-3
4. Mukhopadhyay A, Ni J, Zhai Y, Yu GL, Aggarwal BB. Identification and characterization of a novel cytokine, THANK, a TNF homologue that activates apoptosis, nuclear factor-kappaB, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase. J Biol Chem 1999 ;274:15978-81
5. Gross JA, Johnston J, Mudri S, et al. TACI and BCMA are receptors for a TNF homologue implicated in B-cell autoimmune disease. Nature 2000;404:995-9
6. Thompson JS, Bixler SA, Qian F, et al.  BAFF-R, a newly identified TNF receptor that specifically interacts with BAFF.  Science. 2001;293:2108-11