BAFF receptor

BAFF receptor (B-cell activating factor receptor, BAFF-R), also known as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 13C (TNFRSF13C), is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the TNFRSF13C is_associated_with::gene.

TNFRSF13C is a membrane protein of the is_associated_with::TNF receptor superfamily which recognizes BAFF.

Function
is_associated_with::B-cell activating factor (BAFF) enhances B-cell survival in vitro and is a regulator of the peripheral is_associated_with::B-cell population. The protein encoded by this gene is a receptor for BAFF and is a type III is_associated_with::transmembrane protein containing a single extracellular is_associated_with::phenylalanine-rich domain. It is thought that this receptor is the principal receptor required for BAFF-mediated mature B-cell survival.

Clinical significance
Overexpression of Baff in mice results in mature B-cell is_associated_with::hyperplasia and symptoms of is_associated_with::systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Also, some SLE patients have increased levels of BAFF in serum. Therefore, it has been proposed that abnormally high levels of BAFF may contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases by enhancing the survival of autoreactive B cells.