B Lymphocyte Stimulator and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

B lymphocyte stimulator(Blys) is a member of the tumour necrosis factor(TNF) superfamily that regulates B lymphocyte proliferation,differentiation and antibody secretion.Blys plays a key role in immune responses,especially in humoral immune responses.Deficiency or overexpression of Blys results in immune inbalance and induces several autoimmune diseases.Blys mRNA may serve as an useful biomarker of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).For autoimmune diseases in which B cells have a pathogenic role,such as SLE,Blys antagonism might be an useful therapeutic strategy.