Guia Vannucchi, Danila Covelli, Nicola Currò, Davide Dazzi, Antonia Maffini, Irene Campi, Paola Bonara, Claudio Guastella, Lorenzo Pignataro, Roberto Ratiglia, Paolo Beck-Peccoz, Mario Salvi
INTRODUCTION: B cells are known to play a key role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. B lymphocyte activating factor (BAFF), a member of TNF family, promotes autoantibody production by increasing B cell survival and proliferation. Serum BAFF concentrations have been found to be increased in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome. OBJECTIVE: We have measured serum BAFF concentrations in patients with Graves' disease (GD) with or without Graves' orbitopathy (GO) and in active GO in relation to immunosuppressive treatment...
May 2012: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism