Evolutionarily Selected Overexpression of the Cytokine BAFF Enhances Mucosal Immune Response Against P. falciparum.

ABSTRACT: We have previously shown that a variant of the TNFSF13B gene that we called BAFF-var increases the production of the cytokine BAFF, upregulating humoral immunity and increasing the risk for certain autoimmune diseases. In addition, genetic population signatures revealed that BAFF-var was evolutionarily advantageous, most likely by increasing resistance to malaria infection, which is a prime candidate for selective pressure. To evaluate whether the increased soluble BAFF (sBAFF) production confers protection, we experimentally assessed the role of BAFF-var in response to malaria antigens. Lysates of erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum (iRBCs) or left uninfected (uRBCs, control) were used to treat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with

SUBMITTER: Lodde V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7573158 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature