The discovery may also lead to new approaches to the treatment of certain types of leukemia and lymphoma. BLyS is a naturally occurring substance, a protein, made by the human body. It stimulates the production of high levels of antibodies by causing the antibody producing cells, called B cells, to grow and produce abundant antibodies.
Antibodies act to protect the body from infections such as bacteria and viruses.
People deficient for B cells are at high risk for infection. BLyS may be a long sought missing link in the body's ability to protect itself from infection. For many years scientists have searched for substances that stimulate the growth of antibody producing cells. BLyS seems to be one of those substances. The discovery also helps to answer a well-known puzzle.