Exp Mol Med.  2009 Mar;41(3):208-216. 10.3858/emm.2009.41.3.024.

B cell activation factor (BAFF) is a novel adipokine that links obesity and inflammation

• Kim YH
• Choi BH
• Cheon HG
• Do MS

• KMID: 1123468
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3858/emm.2009.41.3.024

Abstract

B cell activation factor (BAFF) is a novel member of the TNF ligand superfamily, mainly produced by myeloid cells. BAFF has been shown to participate in B-cell survival and B- and T-cell maturation. BAFF expression in adipocytes has been recently demonstrated. In the current study, we verified that BAFF expression is increased during adipocyte differentiation. BAFF expression was augmented by TNF-alpha treatment and was decreased by rosiglitazone treatment. BAFF secretion in lean and in ob/ob mice sera were compared and smaller amount of BAFF was secreted in ob/ob mice. mRNA and protein expression were different between epididymal and visceral adipose tissue. BAFF expression was also increased in ob/ob mouse adipose tissue. We sought to identify known BAFF receptors (BAFF-R, BCMA, and TACI) in adipocytes, and determined that all three were present and upregulated during adipocyte differentiation. However, the expression of TACI was distinct from that of BAFF-R and BCMA under TNF-alpha and BAFF ligand treatment. BAFF-R and BCMA expression levels were upregulated under pro-inflammatory conditions, but TACI was reduced. Conversely, BAFF-R and BCMA expression levels were downregulated by rosiglitazone treatment, but TACI was increased. Taken together, our results suggest that BAFF may be a new adipokine, representing a link between obesity and inflammation.

Keyword

adipokine; B-cell maturation antigen; obesity; rosiglitazone; TNFRSF13C protein, human; TNFSF13B protein, human; transmembrane activator and CAML Interactor protein

MeSH Terms

Adipocytes/cytology
Adipokines/biosynthesis/*physiology
Animals
B-Cell Activating Factor/biosynthesis/*physiology
B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor/metabolism
Cell Differentiation
Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology
Inflammation/*metabolism
Mice
Obesity/*metabolism
Thiazolidinediones/pharmacology
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology