BAFF and APRIL signaling through BCMA regulates microglial cells in the central nervous system.

Abstract B cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) is a receptor that engages the cytokines BAFF and APRIL. BCMA known to play critical role in regulating proliferation, survival, differentiation into plasma cells. However, effect of on non-B cells has been understudied. We have previously shown regulates EAE, where −/−mice exacerbated disease compared +/+mice. The increased was associated with infiltration cells, T inflammatory macrophages central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we assessed expression patterns different immune types infiltrating CNS mice EAE by flow cytometry. found expressed microglia are CNS, but not or neutrophils. Next, numbers phenotype myeloid lymph nodes healthy −/−and an number resident microglial low CD86 brain Also, elevated M1 (measured iNOS) nodes, type −/−in comparison +/+mice expression. These data suggest novel for function peripheral tissues. Our points towards new pathway regulated APRIL signaling through provides clues behind immunopathogenesis neuroautoimmune diseases. This study supported grants from NMSS (RG-1602-07722), NIH (R01AI137047 R01EY027346) awarded R.C. Axtell.