Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 17 (Mus musculus) (BCMA)

Murine B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), also known as Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 17 (TNFRSF17), is a type III transmembrane protein primarily expressed on the surface of mature B-lymphocytes and plasma cells in mice (UniProt O88472). It serves as a critical receptor for the ligands BAFF (B-cell activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand), which are essential for the survival and maintenance of long-lived plasma cells in the bone marrow (NCBI Gene 21935). Upon ligand binding, BCMA activates intracellular signaling pathways, including NF-κB, JNK, and p38 MAPK, which promote the expression of pro-survival genes (PubMed 10946284). In murine disease models, BCMA is a key player in the development of multiple myeloma-like malignancies and autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (PubMed 14734551). Due to its highly restricted expression on plasma cells, it is a primary target for the development of immunotherapies, including antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific T-cell engagers, and CAR-T cell therapies (PubMed 24510954). While many clinical agents target the human ortholog, murine BCMA is extensively utilized in preclinical research to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these therapeutic modalities (PubMed 30782815).

Other names

B-cell maturation antigenTnfrsf17B-cell maturation proteinCD269Bcm

Drugs targeting BCMA primarily function by inducing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), or by redirecting T-cells to eliminate BCMA-expressing plasma cells via bispecific antibodies or CAR-T cells. Additionally, some agents act as antagonists by blocking the interaction between BCMA and its pro-survival ligands, BAFF and APRIL, thereby inducing apoptosis in malignant or autoreactive plasma cells.