IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a rapidly emerging, multiorgan system condition now known to affect multiple organ systems: the pancreas, salivary glands, orbital tissues, aorta, lungs, kidneys, thyroid gland, and others. Patients with this condition have consistent histopathological and immunopathological features across all affected organs. The disease is responsive to glucocorticoids, but such treatment fails to cure the disease in substantial percentages of patients that may vary according to clinical epidemiology and the specific organ system(s) involved. B-cell depletion is a promising approach to treatment, but the full impact of this therapy and its precise mechanisms are unclear. The fundamental basis of IgG4-RD remains obscure, and the full extent of its organ involvement has yet to be defined. Very little is known about the epidemiology of this condition, but the growing medical literature suggests that it may be much more common than generally appreciated.

An international symposium on IgG4-RD will be held in Boston, Mass (USA) from October 4–7, 2011. Manuscripts derived from this symposium will be submitted for peer review and consideration for publication in the International Journal of Rheumatology, an open-access journal. In addition, we invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the clinical features, pathology, radiologic characteristics, pathophysiologic aspects, approaches to treatment of IgG4-RD, and the evaluation of outcomes. We are particularly interested in articles describing basic studies pertaining to the biology of IgG4, mechanistic studies that provide insight into the pathophysiology of IgG4-RD, and new approaches to therapy. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• The morphology of IgG4-RD within discrete organs
• Pathophysiology and immunological aspects
• Classification and diagnostic criteria
• The epidemiology of IgG4-RD and its individual organ system manifestations
• The natural history of IgG4-RD and response to treatment
• New treatment approaches
• Utility of IgG4 concentrations and autoantibodies as biomarkers
• Manifestations of IgG4-RD in unusual sites
• The radiology of IgG4-RD
• Lymphadenopathy and IgG4-RD
• The risk of malignancy in IgG4-RD

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