The B cell-stimulating molecules, BAFF (B cell activating factor, also known as BLyS; TALL-1; CD257 or TNFSF13B) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand, also known as CD256 or TNFSF13), are critical factors in the maintenance of the B cell pool and humoral immunity (1, 2).

APRIL is a secreted protein that binds to transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI), B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG). APRIL can interact with carbohydrate side chains of proteoglycans that may trigger cross-linking (3).

BAFF is a transmembrane protein which is proteolytically processed by furin to be released as a soluble cytokine (2). Soluble BAFF exists either as trimers (BAFF 3-mer), or as an ordered assembly of 20 trimers (BAFF 60-mer) (4). BAFF 3-mer and BAFF 60-mer both signal through BAFF-R, only TACI (and BCMA) respond to BAFF 60-mer and not to BAFF 3-mer (4). Similar observations are true with APRIL, which needs to be cross-linked in order to activate TACI (4).

APRIL maintains B cell homeostasis by acting at a later stage, modulating the function and survival of antigen-experienced B cells. BAFF is a key survival factor for peripheral B cells and together with IL-6 plasma cell differentiation (2). APRIL (as well as BAFF) stimulates class-switch recombination (CSR), hence contributes to shaping humoral effector mechanisms. With regards to humoral memory, APRIL is involved in the establishment and survival of the long-lived plasma cell (LLPC) pool in the bone marrow (BM) (5). Besides its major role in B cell biology, BAFF co-stimulates activated T cells.

APRIL is expressed by a number of myeloid-derived cell types including BM granulocytes, megakaryocytes, eosinophils, osteoclasts, and by dendritic cells following exposure to IFN-α, IFN-γ or CD40L. APRIL expression is induced during hematopoiesis in the bone marrow. APRIL expression is not limited to cells of myeloid origin but can be found in epithelial cells of the gut, tonsil, breast and skin. Finally, APRIL is expressed in tumor cell lines and human cancer cells of colon, thyroid and lymphoid origin (1). 

APRIL confers atheroprotection by binding to heparan sulfate chains of heparan-sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2), which limits the retention of low-density lipoproteins, accumulation of macrophages and formation of necrotic cores. AdipoGen's specific anti-APRIL (mouse) antibody (Apry-1-1) that promotes the binding of APRIL to HSPGs was used to reduce experimental atherosclerosis. Serum levels of a specific form of human APRIL that binds to HSPGs (termed non-canonical APRIL), are associated with long-term cardiovascular mortality in patients with atherosclerosis (13).

BAFF is mainly produced by innate immune cells such as neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, follicular dendritic cells, T cells, activated B cells, some malignant B cells, but non-lymphoid cells like astrocytes, synoviocytes and epithelial cells can also produce BAFF.

BAFF and APRIL are implicated in several human autoimmune diseases with autoreactive B cell involvement, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (6), Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) (7), IgA nephropathy (IgAN) (8), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (9). APRIL might also function in enhancing proliferation of some tumor cells, especially B cell malignancies (10, 11). BAFF levels are also increased in some lymphoid cancers (12).

A recent study in Cell Reports using AdipoGen's blocking antibodies anti-APRIL (mouse) antibody (Apry-1-1) and anti-BAFF (mouse), mAb (blocking) (Sandy-2) shows that the BAFF/APRIL axis is activated in inflammation-induced preterm birth (PTB). Macrophages produce BAFF at the maternal-fetal interface and BAFF enhances inflammatory responsiveness and increases susceptibility to PTB. APRIL has the opposite function in PTB decreasing inflammation. Therefore, the new roles of BAFF or APRIL in parturition open new therapeutic possibilities for mitigating the risk of inflammation-induced PTB (14).

Literature References:

1. Targeting BAFF and APRIL in systemic lupus erythematosus and other antibody-associated diseases: E. Samy, et al.; Int. Rev. Immunol. 36, 3 (2017)
2. Cracking the BAFF code: F. Mackay & P. Schneider; Nat. Rev. Immunol. 9, 491 (2009)
3. Identification of proteoglycans as the APRIL-specific binding partners: K. Ingold, et al.; J. Exp. Med. 201, 1375 (2005)
4. TACI, unlike BAFF-R, is solely activated by oligomeric BAFF and APRIL to support survival of activated B cells and plasmablasts: C. Bossen, et al.; Blood 111, 1004 (2009)
5. Factors of the bone marrow microniche that support human plasma cell survival and immunoglobulin secretion: D.C. Nguyen, et al.; Nat. Commun. 12, 3698 (2018)
6. Raised serum APRIL levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: T. Koyama, et al.; Ann. Rheum. Dis. 64, 1065 (2005)
7. The expression of APRIL in Sjogren’s syndrome: Aberrant expression of APRIL in the salivary gland: J.L. Vosters, et al.; Rheumatology (Oxford) 51, 1557 (2012)
8. Increased APRIL Expression Induces IgA1 Aberrant Glycosylation in IgA Nephropathy: Y.L. Zhai, et al.; Medicine (Baltimore) 95, e3099 (2016)
9. The BAFF/APRIL system: an important player in systemic rheumatic diseases: F. Mackay, et al.; Curr. Dir. Autoimmun. 8, 243 (2005)
10. APRIL, a New Ligand of the Tumor Necrosis Factor Family, Stimulates Tumor Cell Growth: M. Hahne, et al.; J. Exp. Med. 188, 1185 (1998)
11. In situ detection of APRIL-rich niches for plasma-cell survival and their contribution to B-cell lymphoma development: M. Burjanadze, et al.; Histol. Histopathol. 24, 1061 (2009)
12. Serum BAFF predicts prognosis better than APRIL in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with rituximab plus CHOP chemotherapy: S.J. Kim, et al.; Eur. J. Haematol. 81, 177 (2008)
13. APRIL limits atherosclerosis by binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans: D. Tsiantoulas, et al.; Nature 597, 92 (2021)
14. BAFF and APRIL counterregulate susceptibility to inflammation-induced preterm birth: R.J. Doll, et al.; Cell Reports 42, 112352 (2023)

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Most Comprehensive & Unique APRIL/BAFF Reagents for Autoimmune Disease Research

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NEW BAFF-APRIL (human) Heteromers ELISA Kit - Unique ELISA Assay

The BAFF-APRIL (human) Heteromers ELISA Kit (Prod. No. AG-45B-0030) is a sandwich ELISA for the specific quantitative determination of human BAFF-APRIL heteromers (trimeric proteins that contained either BAFF-APRIL-APRIL, or APRIL-BAFF-BAFF). in serum, plasma and cell culture supernatants. This ELISA Kit shows both high specificity and high sensitivity and is unique to the market. BAFF and APRIL exist as heteromers of BAFF and APRIL that are produced in autoimmune diseases, making this ELISA Assay a perfect Biomarker Assay for Autoimmune Diseases.

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APRIL (human) ELISA Kit - The BEST on the Market

The APRIL (human) ELISA Kit (Prod. No. AG-45B-0012) is a sandwich ELISA for specific quantitative determination of human APRIL in serum, plasma and cell culture supernatants. This ELISA Kit shows both high specificity and high sensitivity, which is a clear advantage compared to other APRIL (human) ELISA Kits from key competitors, such as eBioscience or Biolegend.

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BAFF, Soluble (human) ELISA Kit (hypersensitive)  - The RELIABLE Assay

The BAFF, Soluble (human) ELISA Kit (Prod. No. AG-45B-0001) is a sandwich ELISA for specific quantitative determination of human BAFF in serum, plasma and cell culture supernatants. This ELISA Kit does not cross-react with mouse BAFF and has been chosen by several CROs for its high specificity and high sensitivity.

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UNIQUE & POTENT anti-BAFF (mouse), mAb (blocking) (Sandy-2) 

AdipoGen Life Sciences' anti-BAFF (mouse), mAb (blocking) (Sandy-2) (Prod. No. AG-20B-0063) is a monoclonal antibody that recognizes mouse BAFF and works specifically in IP and Functional Application. The antibody inhibits mouse BAFF binding to BAFF-R and TACI. It is highly potent in blocking mouse BAFF in vivo and induces B cell depletion and generates a phenotype similar to that observed in BAFF-/- mice. The antibody is available with or without preservatives.

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UNIQUE & POTENT anti-APRIL (mouse), mAb (rec.) (blocking) (Apry-1-1) 

AdipoGen Life Sciences' anti-APRIL (mouse), mAb (rec.) (blocking) (Apry-1-1) (Prod. No. AG-27B-0001) is a recombinant monoclonal antibody that recognizes mouse APRIL and works specifically in IP and Functional Application. The antibody inhibits mouse APRIL binding to BCMA and TACI. It is highly potent in blocking mouse APRIL in vitro and in vivo. In addition it promotes the binding of APRIL to HSPGs and confers atheroprotection. The antibody is available with or without preservatives.

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NEW & UNIQUE anti-APRIL (mouse), mAb (blocking) (Centotto-1) (preservative free) 

AdipoGen Life Sciences' anti-APRIL (mouse), mAb (blocking) (Centotto-1) (preservative free) (Prod. No. AG-20B-0083PF) is a monoclonal antibody that recognizes mouse APRIL and works specifically in IP and Functional Application. The antibody depletes mouse APRIL in vivo and is available without preservatives.

In a recent study published in PNAS by the lab of Pascal Schneider (Lausanne University, Switzerland), it is reported that BAFF and APRIL contribute to maintaining IgG, IgA, and IgM plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM), spleen and intestine and rely mainly on three ligand/receptor pairs: APRIL-BCMA, BAFF-TACI, and APRIL-TACI. Together, these actors accounted for 90% of circulating antibodies. To characterize the role of each ligand and receptor, genetic and pharmacological approaches were used. To efficiently target plasma cells, dual inhibition of BAFF and APRIL using blocking antibodies developed at AdipoGen Life Sciences is required (see images below).

LIT: Unique and redundant roles of mouse BCMA, TACI, BAFF, APRIL and IL-6 in supporting antibody-producing cells in different tissues: M. Eslami, et al.; PNAS 21, e2404309121 (2024)

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UNIQUE Highly Active Proteins - Developed & Manufactured at AdipoGen Life Sciences

AdipoGen Life Sciences, with its deep roots in TNF Superfamily research, provides a unique panel of highly active and multimeric APRIL and BAFF recombinant proteins. The validated high quality research tools are used and published by the experts in BAFF and APRIL research on a daily basis.  

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VALIDATED Antibodies for BAFF and APRIL Research

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Other Reagents for BAFF and APRIL Research

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