IMMUNOLOGY2026™: Day 4

In this special episode of The Immunology Podcast from Immunology 2026, Dr. Jason Goldsmith and Dr. Brendo Raad reflect on a rich day of scientific discovery and personal connection. The episode opens with a sponsor plug for Stem Cell Technologies’ SEPMate and Lymphoprep, offering free samples through May 11th. The hosts highlight several standout sessions, beginning with Upasana Das Adhikari’s groundbreaking research on immunometabolic dysfunction in CD8 T cells in HIV patients—where these cells consume epithelial lipids due to impaired PPAR gamma signaling, weakening gut integrity. This finding, reversible with a PPAR gamma agonist, underscores a novel mechanism behind persistent gastrointestinal symptoms in treated HIV patients. The hosts then dive into the symposium 'Neuroimmune Landscapes Across the Body,' where they explore the intricate crosstalk between neurons and immune cells. Key insights include the role of the vagus nerve in suppressing inflammation, with real-world applications such as non-invasive activation techniques (e.g., bearing down without defecating) and implanted devices showing efficacy in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Talks by Brian Kim, David Artis, Daniel Kaplan, and Caroline Sokol reveal how sensory neurons, mast cells, dendritic cells, and ILC2s form dynamic circuits that drive itch, pain, and allergic responses—often initiated by physical damage from allergens activating nociceptors. The episode closes with a personal reflection from Dr. Raad on the full-circle journey from 1980s adhesion molecule research to the Takeda drug that has kept him in remission for nearly a decade, underscoring the long-term impact of foundational immunology research.