APRIL promotes B-1 cell-associated neoplasm

A tumor-supporting role for the TNF-like ligand APRIL has been suggested. Here we describe that 9- to 12-month-old APRIL transgenic mice develop lymphoid tumors that originate from expansion of the peritoneal B-1 B cell population. Aging APRIL transgenic mice develop progressive hyperplasia in mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches, disorganization of affected lymphoid tissues, mucosal and capsular infiltration, and eventual tumor cell infiltration into nonlymphoid tissues such as kidney and liver. We detected significantly increased APRIL levels in sera of B cell chronic lymphoid leukemia (B-CLL) patients, indicating that APRIL promotes onset of B-1-associated neoplasms and that APRIL antagonism may provide a therapeutic strategy to treat B-CLL patients.