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B‐Lymphocyte Stimulator and a Proliferation‐Inducing Ligand Serum Levels in IgA‐Deficient Patients With and Without Celiac Disease
Author(s) -
Fabris Martina,
De Vita Salvatore,
Visentini Daniela,
Fabro Cinzia,
Picierno Alessia,
Lerussi Alice,
Villalta Danilo,
Alessio Maria Grazia,
Tampoia Marilina,
Tonutti Elio
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04628.x
Subject(s) - b cell activating factor , autoimmunity , immunology , medicine , immunodeficiency , lymphocyte , autoimmune disease , immunopathology , disease , antibody , b cell , immune system
IgA deficiency (IgAD) is the most common form of immunodeficiency and frequently associates with autoimmunity, especially with celiac disease (CD). The mechanisms underlying IgAD and the development of autoimmunity are still relatively unknown. Elevated B‐lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) and APRIL (a proliferation‐inducing ligand) serum levels characterize several autoimmune diseases. We herein investigated BLyS and APRIL serum levels in IgAD patients with and without CD and compared these patients to CD patients with normal IgA and control patients (HBDs). Compared to HBDs, IgAD patients demonstrated a significant increase of BLyS ( P < 0.0001) and APRIL ( P = 0.003) levels, and no differences were seen between patients with or without CD. While BLyS appeared similarly overexpressed in IgAD and CD patients, APRIL was significantly increased only in IgAD patients. Because APRIL promotes IgA production, its overexpression may represent a physiological mechanism of compensation. BLyS upregulation may be involved in the increased risk of autoimmune disease development characterizing people carrying IgAD.