2015-09-05
BTK signaling in B cell differentiation and autoimmunity
Publication
Publication
Since the original identification of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) as the gene defective in the primary immunodeficiency X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in 1993, our knowledge on the physiological function of BTK has expanded impressively. In this review, we focus on the role of BTK during B cell differentiation in vivo, both in the regulation of expansion and in the developmental progression of pre-B cells in the bone marrow and as a crucial signal transducer of signals downstream of the IgM or IgG B cell antigen receptor (BCR) in mature B cells governing proliferation, survival, and differentiation. In particular, we highlight BTK function in B cells in the context of host defense and autoimmunity. Small-molecule inhibitors of BTK have very recently shown impressive anti-tumor activity in clinical studies in patients with various B cell malignancies. Since promising effects of BTK inhibition were also seen in experimental animal models for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, BTK may be a good target for controlling autoreactive B cells in patients with systemic autoimmune disease.
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doi.org/10.1007/82_2015_478, hdl.handle.net/1765/92323 | |
Organisation | Department of Pulmonology |
Corneth, O., Klein Wolterink, R., & Hendriks, R. (2015). BTK signaling in B cell differentiation and autoimmunity. doi:10.1007/82_2015_478 |