BAFF aids generation of IgG anti-ganglioside antibodies in response to Campylobacter jejuni lipo-oligosaccharide

Ganglioside mimicry of Campylobacter jejuni lipo-oligosaccharide (LOS) can induce the production of IgG anti-ganglioside antibodies, but the generation mechanism has yet to be clarified. B-cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) helped murine B cells produce anti-ganglioside antibodies against C. jejuni LOS. In splenocyte culture, however, anti-ganglioside antibodies were produced in the presence of a soluble transmembrane activator and calcium-modulating and cyclophilin ligand interactor immunoadhesin (TACI-Ig), a receptor for BAFF. TACI-Ig adenoviral vectors failed to decrease production of anti-ganglioside antibodies in mice sensitized with C. jejuni LOS and did not alter IgG subclasses, evidence that BAFF aids but is not essential for the generation of IgG anti-ganglioside antibodies in response to C. jejuni LOS.