IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-A primordial variable lymphocyte receptor-like gene expressed in T-like lymphocytes of jawless vertebrates

A primordial variable lymphocyte receptor-like gene expressed in T-like lymphocytes of jawless vertebrates

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker described new findings on lamprey and hagfish immune receptors, focusing on the VLR (variable lymphocyte receptor) system in jawless vertebrates. Unlike jawed vertebrates, which use Ig and TCR genes, lampreys and hagfish lack canonical Ig/TCR, MHC, and RAG genes but generate receptor diversity through VLRs. The team identified six lamprey VLR isotypes (A–F) and three in hagfish (A–C), with evidence that VLRs diversify by copy-and-paste-like rearrangements involving dispersed genomic cassettes. They also found interchromosomal interactions contributing to VLR diversification. A major new result was the discovery of a “primordial VLR” or pre-VLR: an intact, non-rearranged gene lacking intervening sequence, structurally similar to VLR-B, GPI-anchored, and predominantly expressed in T-like lymphocytes. The speaker proposed that a transposon-like ancestor may have given rise to modern VLR genes.

Meta Tag

Date April 17, 2026 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM

Room 104AB

Session Learning from Others - Immunity from the Jawless to Paws and Hooves

Speaker Sabyasachi Das

Track Veterinary and Comparative Immunology (VET)

Year 2026

Keywords

lamprey VLR

hagfish immune receptors

jawless vertebrate immunity

primordial VLR

transposon-like ancestor

April 17, 2026 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM

104AB

Learning from Others - Immunity from the Jawless to Paws and Hooves

Sabyasachi Das

Veterinary and Comparative Immunology (VET)

2026