BAFF: a novel therapeutic target for autoimmunity.

Autoimmunity results from a break in self-tolerance involving humoral and/or cell-mediated immune mechanisms. One pathological consequence of a failure in central and/or peripheral tolerance is the generation of autoantibodies and subsequent formation of complement-fixing immune complexes that contribute to tissue damage. Prevailing pharmacological strategies for treating autoimmune diseases involve the use of broad-acting immunosuppressants that with long term use have associated toxicities. The current drive in drug development is towards therapies that target a specific biological pathway or pathogenic cell population. Recent discovery of the BAFF-mediated B-cell survival pathway provides a unique opportunity for developing focused intervention for autoreactive B-cell function.