Loss of TACI causes fatal lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity, establishing TACI as an inhibitory BLyS receptor

BLyS, a key cytokine that sustains B cell maturation and tolerance, binds three receptors: BR3, BCMA, and TACI. Results from knockout mice implicate a major functional role for BR3 and a redundant one for BCMA in B cell function. TACI's role is controversial based on defects in TI antibody responses accompanied by B cell hyperplasia in knockout mice. We have presently characterized a precise role for TACI in vivo. TACI(-/-) mice develop fatal autoimmune glomerulonephritis, proteinurea, and elevated levels of circulating autoantibodies. Treatment of B cells with TACI agonistic antibodies inhibits proliferation in vitro and activation of a chimeric receptor containing the TACI intracellular domain induces apoptosis. These results demonstrate the critical requirement for TACI in regulating B cell homeostasis.