Telitacicept for autoimmune nephropathy

Front Immunol. 2023 Jun 5:14:1169084. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1169084. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

B cells and the humoral immunity are important players in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. BAFF (also known as BLYS) and a proliferation-inducing ligand APRIL are required for the maintenance of the B-cell pool and humoral immunity. BAFF and APRIL can promote B-cell differentiation, maturation, and plasma cell antibody secretion. BAFF/APRIL overexpression has been identified in several autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, IgA nephropathy, etc. Telitacicept, a novel fully human TACI-Fc fusion protein that binds both BAFF and APRIL, was approved in China in March 2021 for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus at a recommended dose of 160 mg/w subcutaneously and is in clinical trials for the treatment of multiple indications in other autoimmune diseases. In this review, we explored telitacicept's mechanism of action and clinical data. In addition, the immune features of autoimmune nephropathy were discussed, emphasizing lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, and membranous nephropathy.

Keywords: B-cell activating factor BAFF; IgA nephropathy; a proliferation-inducing ligand APRIL; lupus nephritis; telitacicept.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / metabolism
  • Glomerulonephritis, IGA* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
  • Lupus Nephritis* / drug therapy
  • Lupus Nephritis* / pathology

Substances

  • telitacicept
  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • Autoantibodies

Grants and funding

The preparation of this review was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Joint Project (NO.U21A20348) and the National Natural Science Young Scientists Foundation of China (No.81800648).