title: B cells and autoimmunity 2004: new concepts and therapeutic perspectives.
abstract: Recently, studies of B-cell physiology have continued to provide new and surprising insights into the nature of autoimmunity, highlighting novel potential immunointervention strategies. The meeting on 'B cells and autoimmunity: new concepts and therapeutic perspectives' brought together basic scientists and clinicians with research interests in a range of autoimmune diseases. Recent advances in different facets of B-cell biology were discussed in the prospect of understanding autoimmunity, and significant advances in our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate the autoimmune response at the B cell-level were described. Even though no single message emerged, it is clear that the B lymphocyte is truly destined to become a therapeutic target for the treatment of autoimmune disease.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche en Rhumatologie et Immunologie, CHUQ, Pavillon CHUL, 2705 Blvd Laurier, Ste-Foy, Québec, G1V 4G, Canada.
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mourad
authors.forename: Peter E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Lipsky
authors.forename: Moncef
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zouali
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011792:Quebec; D012955:Societies, Medical
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors