A subset of white blood cells, known as B lymphocytes, is responsible for generating antibodies during an immune response to infection. In normal individuals, the immune system insures that antibodies and immune responses are not directed to self-tissues, a process known as “immune tolerance.” The development of autoantibodies associated with numerous autoimmune diseases, most notably lupus, involves a loss of this B cell tolerance. Dr. Lang’s studies will help elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the loss of B cell tolerance leading to autoantibody production, which, in turn, will be important in developing therapies designed to insure B cell tolerance.