Developing Connections among B Lymphocytes and Deregulated Pathways in Autoimmunity

Abstract Immunologists have long investigated B lymphocytes as solely antibody-producing cells. With further studies, it became clear that B cells can exert a variety of functions within the immune system and beyond. As a result, B cells are considered promising targets for immunotherapy in a variety of disorders. Recently, experts in B cell biology and autoimmunity convened to discuss important stepping stones to decipher the complexity of B lymphocyte-mediated pathways in autoimmune diseases. Twenty-five years ago, the first report describing the clinical efficacy of depleting B lymphocytes in autoimmune diseases was published (1). This also marked organization of the first International Conference on B Cells and Autoimmunity, held in 2001 in Bergen, Norway. Since then, the credentials of B cells as essential players in autoimmune disease have been well established. For its sixth edition, this conference series settled along the shores of Sun Moon Lake in the heart of Taiwan on August 16–18, 2016, to view and discuss recent advances in different facets of B cell biology and put them in the perspective of understanding autoimmunity and designing effective immunointervention strategies. Following the tradition established in 2001, the conference was a forum where basic immunologists and their clinically trained colleagues met to discuss hot topics of autoimmunity research. Speakers from four continents discussed some of their new data and insights and brought considerable excitement to the conference in the refreshingly beautiful and elegant landscape of Sun Moon Lake and its indescribable charm