Molecular Immunology 62 (2014) 265
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Molecular Immunology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/molimm
Preface
B cells and Autoimmunity 2013
In the more than 100 years since the first human autoimmune disease was described, immunologists have been striving to unravel the detailed mechanisms that underlie the emergence of autoreactivity, and to develop targeted therapies for diseases ranging from multiple sclerosis to rheumatoid arthritis. Although for many years the path toward this goal was a dominant T lymphocyte centric view, an important deviation was made during the past years – the realization that B lymphocytes are chief players in autoimmune diseases, and represent important targets for disease management. This burst of interest in the role of B lymphocytes in autoimmune diseases coincided with the initiation of a meeting series entitled “B cells and Autoimmunity”. The first Conference was organized in 2001 in Bergen (Norway) in conjunction with the 11th International Congress of Immunology (Stockholm). The second was held in Quebec in 2004 as a Satellite meeting to the 12th International Congress of Immunology (Montreal). The third Conference took place in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 2007 as a Satellite meeting to the 13th International Congress of Immunology. The fourth was held in 2010 in Nara (Japan) as a Satellite meeting to 14th International Congress of Immunology (Kobe). Recently, studies of B cell physiology have continued to provide new and surprising insights into major autoimmunity questions, with novel potential immuno-intervention strategies. The fifth edition of “B cells and Autoimmunity” took place along the Como Lake in Northern Italy from 19 to 21 August 2013. It intended to bring
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.molimm.2014.06.015 0161-5890/© 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
together basic scientists and clinicians with research interests in a range of autoimmune diseases. The major goal was to view and discuss recent advances in different facets of B cell biology and to put them in the prospect of understanding autoimmunity and of designing effective immunointerventon strategies. Additionally, it provided a forum for constructive discussions and initiating international collaboration. This Special Issue of Molecular Immunology includes a series of articles based on some of the presentations made during the “B cells and Autoimmunity” conference. It highlights some of the success made in this field of research, but it also shows that we have much to learn. The future of B cell-based therapeutics is just now being glimpsed. I wish to thank Simone Cenci (San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy), Betty Diamond (The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA), and Rita Carsetti (Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy) for organizational contributions, and those companies that helped to fund the meeting. I also would like to thank the scientists who submitted their papers to this special issue on “B cells and Autoimmunity”, and to acknowledge the excellent work made by a team of independent reviewers. Moncef Zouali Inserm and University Paris Diderot, Sorbone Paris Cité, France Available online 27 June 2014
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Molecular Immunology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/molimm
Preface
B cells and Autoimmunity 2013
In the more than 100 years since the first human autoimmune disease was described, immunologists have been striving to unravel the detailed mechanisms that underlie the emergence of autoreactivity, and to develop targeted therapies for diseases ranging from multiple sclerosis to rheumatoid arthritis. Although for many years the path toward this goal was a dominant T lymphocyte centric view, an important deviation was made during the past years – the realization that B lymphocytes are chief players in autoimmune diseases, and represent important targets for disease management. This burst of interest in the role of B lymphocytes in autoimmune diseases coincided with the initiation of a meeting series entitled “B cells and Autoimmunity”. The first Conference was organized in 2001 in Bergen (Norway) in conjunction with the 11th International Congress of Immunology (Stockholm). The second was held in Quebec in 2004 as a Satellite meeting to the 12th International Congress of Immunology (Montreal). The third Conference took place in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 2007 as a Satellite meeting to the 13th International Congress of Immunology. The fourth was held in 2010 in Nara (Japan) as a Satellite meeting to 14th International Congress of Immunology (Kobe). Recently, studies of B cell physiology have continued to provide new and surprising insights into major autoimmunity questions, with novel potential immuno-intervention strategies. The fifth edition of “B cells and Autoimmunity” took place along the Como Lake in Northern Italy from 19 to 21 August 2013. It intended to bring
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.molimm.2014.06.015 0161-5890/© 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
together basic scientists and clinicians with research interests in a range of autoimmune diseases. The major goal was to view and discuss recent advances in different facets of B cell biology and to put them in the prospect of understanding autoimmunity and of designing effective immunointerventon strategies. Additionally, it provided a forum for constructive discussions and initiating international collaboration. This Special Issue of Molecular Immunology includes a series of articles based on some of the presentations made during the “B cells and Autoimmunity” conference. It highlights some of the success made in this field of research, but it also shows that we have much to learn. The future of B cell-based therapeutics is just now being glimpsed. I wish to thank Simone Cenci (San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy), Betty Diamond (The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA), and Rita Carsetti (Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy) for organizational contributions, and those companies that helped to fund the meeting. I also would like to thank the scientists who submitted their papers to this special issue on “B cells and Autoimmunity”, and to acknowledge the excellent work made by a team of independent reviewers. Moncef Zouali Inserm and University Paris Diderot, Sorbone Paris Cité, France Available online 27 June 2014
