Recently B-cell activating factor (BAFF) was identified by our group and others as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. To expand upon this, we utilized microarrays to screen for molecules upregulated in B cells from BAFF-inhibited mice with lupus-like disease and identified metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (Grm3). In addition to confirming the expression of this receptor in B cells, a synthetic agonist of Grm3 was found to downregulate B cells and ameliorate autoimmune symptoms in mice. Conversely, a Grm3 antagonist increased B-cell numbers and further aggravated disease. Thus, these results suggest that activation of Grm3 ameliorates lupus-like disease in mice by reducing B cell numbers. Not only do the findings presented in this study increase our understanding of the inhibitory signals initiated on the surface of B cells, but they also identify a novel potential target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
[1]Inst Basic Med Sci, Immunol Lab, Beijing 100850, Peoples R China.
[2]First Hosp Jilin Univ, Dept Rheumatol, Changchun 130021, Peoples R China.
[3]307th Hosp Chinese Peoples Liberat Army, Dept Mephrol, Beijing 100850, Peoples R China.
[4]Zhejiang Univ, Sch Med, Inst Immunol, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang, Peoples R China.
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