An APRIL to remember: novel TNF ligands as therapeutic targets

Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2006 Mar;5(3):235-46. doi: 10.1038/nrd1982.

Abstract

Since their discovery in 1998, the two TNF family members APRIL and BLyS/BAFF have received increasing attention. In addition to regulating normal B-cell development and immune responses, these molecules might be crucial in a diverse set of diseases, including autoimmunity and cancer. Although more has been published about the general biology of BLyS/BAFF than that of APRIL, many recent articles have described novel APRIL biology. Here we focus on APRIL, exploring its normal and pathological functions, and comparing the therapeutic molecules currently under development that target BLyS/BAFF alone, or APRIL and BLyS/BAFF together.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / metabolism
  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • Drug Design*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Proteins* / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Proteins* / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins* / physiology
  • Membrane Proteins* / therapeutic use
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha* / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha* / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha* / physiology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • BLyS receptor
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • TNFSF13 protein, human
  • TNFSF13B protein, human
  • Tnfsf13 protein, mouse
  • Tnfsf13b protein, mouse
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha