B cell biology in autoimmunity B cells play a central role not only in adaptive immunity but also in autoimmunity. To understand how B cells are normally prevented from reacting to self tissue what goes wrong in autoimmunity and how B cells contribute to it is the aim of this book.This volume includes more than a dozen in depth reviews by researchers specializing in various aspects of basic B cell biology that have relevance to autoimmune diseases. These up to date chapters present the latest information on B cell signal transduction apoptosis genetics and molecular biology. Also featured are chapters with special reference to particular autoimmune diseases in which B cells have been shown to play a critical role such as type 1 diabetes chronic graft versus host disease and lupus erythematosus. Further topics covered include the role of the complement system rheumatoid factors and anti DNA autoantibodies as well as important related areas such as natural autoantibodies B cell immune tolerance Toll receptor signaling and the immunobiology of BAFF BLyS.Both basic researchers and clinician scientists who wish to understand the role of B lymphocytes in immune tolerance and autoimmunity will benefit from this timely publication