A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), also known as tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13 (TNFSF13), is a protein of the TNF superfamily recognized by the cell surface receptorTACI.[5][6] It is encoded by the TNFSF13 gene.[6]
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the tumor necrosis factor ligand (TNF) ligand family. This protein is a ligand for TNFRSF17/BCMA, a member of the TNF receptor family. This protein and its receptor are both found to be important for B cell development. In vivo experiments suggest an important role for APRIL in the long-term survival of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Mice deficient in APRIL have normal immune system development.[7] However, APRIL-deficient mice have also been reported to possess a reduced ability to support plasma cell survival.[8] In vitro experiments suggested that this protein may be able to induce apoptosis through its interaction with other TNF receptor family proteins such as TNFRSF6/FAS and TNFRSF14/HVEM.[9] Three alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.
APRIL is being explored as a target for autoimmune diseases and B cell malignancies.[12] At least one anti-APRIL monoclonal antibody has been announced to enter phase I clinical trials for multiple myeloma.[13]
^Ryan MC, Grewal IS (2009-01-01). "Targeting of BAFF and APRIL for Autoimmunity and Oncology". In Grewal IS (ed.). Therapeutic Targets of the TNF Superfamily. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Vol. 647. New York: Springer. pp. 52–63. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-89520-8_4. ISBN978-0-387-89519-2. PMID19760066.
Bossen C, Schneider P (October 2006). "BAFF, APRIL and their receptors: structure, function and signaling". Seminars in Immunology. 18 (5): 263–275. doi:10.1016/j.smim.2006.04.006. PMID16914324.
Tangye SG, Bryant VL, Cuss AK, Good KL (October 2006). "BAFF, APRIL and human B cell disorders". Seminars in Immunology. 18 (5): 305–317. doi:10.1016/j.smim.2006.04.004. PMID16916610.
Treml LS, Crowley JE, Cancro MP (October 2006). "BLyS receptor signatures resolve homeostatically independent compartments among naïve and antigen-experienced B cells". Seminars in Immunology. 18 (5): 297–304. doi:10.1016/j.smim.2006.07.001. PMID16919470.
Mackay F, Leung H (October 2006). "The role of the BAFF/APRIL system on T cell function". Seminars in Immunology. 18 (5): 284–289. doi:10.1016/j.smim.2006.04.005. PMID16931039.
Maruyama K, Sugano S (January 1994). "Oligo-capping: a simple method to replace the cap structure of eukaryotic mRNAs with oligoribonucleotides". Gene. 138 (1–2): 171–174. doi:10.1016/0378-1119(94)90802-8. PMID8125298.
Suzuki Y, Yoshitomo-Nakagawa K, Maruyama K, Suyama A, Sugano S (October 1997). "Construction and characterization of a full length-enriched and a 5'-end-enriched cDNA library". Gene. 200 (1–2): 149–156. doi:10.1016/S0378-1119(97)00411-3. PMID9373149.
Cousin P, Billotte J, Chaubert P, Shaw P (January 2000). "Physical map of 17p13 and the genes adjacent to p53". Genomics. 63 (1): 60–68. doi:10.1006/geno.1999.6062. PMID10662545.
Kelly K, Manos E, Jensen G, Nadauld L, Jones DA (February 2000). "APRIL/TRDL-1, a tumor necrosis factor-like ligand, stimulates cell death". Cancer Research. 60 (4): 1021–1027. PMID10706119.
Yu G, Boone T, Delaney J, Hawkins N, Kelley M, Ramakrishnan M, et al. (September 2000). "APRIL and TALL-I and receptors BCMA and TACI: system for regulating humoral immunity". Nature Immunology. 1 (3): 252–256. doi:10.1038/79802. PMID10973284. S2CID6799584.
