Immunoregulatory Networks (D5) 2011

Immunoregulatory networks play a pivotal role in preventing autoimmunity, but also restrict anti-tumor immunity and modulate immune responses to pathogens. While regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a central component of this network, there is now the growing realization that there are many other cellular and molecular components that contribute to this network. While this will be is a Treg-centric meeting, it will also focus on how Tregs integrate with other cellular and molecular components to prevent autoimmunity and control immune responses. This meeting will dissect our current understanding of four key areas: development and homeostasis of regulatory populations, molecular control of immunoregulatory networks, mechanisms of regulatory function and regulatory T cell plasticity. A second goal will be to discuss how Tregs interact with different cells types or utilize different cytokines that modulate or indirectly mediate their activity. A third goal will be to assess how the advances presented can be utilized to develop novel therapies for autoimmune disease and cancer.