IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Helminth trained nerve and airway associated interstitial macrophages are indispensable for mitigating pathology during respiratory viral infection

Helminth trained nerve and airway associated interstitial macrophages are indispensable for mitigating pathology during respiratory viral infection

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The speaker described discovering a lung-resident macrophage population called NAMs (nerve and airway-associated interstitial macrophages), which are closely linked to airway nerves and show regulatory, M2-like gene signatures. In several infection models, including influenza and a lung-migrating helminth, NAMs expanded strongly. The team then showed that prior helminth infection “trained” these macrophages, protecting mice from lethal influenza without reducing viral load. Protection was linked to reduced lung damage, fewer inflammatory neutrophils and NETs, increased eosinophils and type 2 cytokines, and improved tissue repair. Depleting trained NAMs removed this protection, while transferring them restored it, proving they were necessary and sufficient. Epigenetic and transcriptional analyses suggested a PPAR-gamma/RXR-driven trained immunity program, including arginase 1. The speaker also noted related NAM-like signatures in human IPF and COPD, suggesting possible translational relevance for disease tolerance and lung repair.

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Date April 19, 2026 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Room 104 AB

Session Innate Defenses against Pathogens

Speaker Payal Damani-Yokota

Track Innate Immune Responses and Host Defense: Cellular Mechanisms (INC)

Year 2026

Keywords

NAMs

trained immunity

influenza protection

helminth infection

lung repair

PPAR-gamma RXR

April 19, 2026 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM

104 AB

Innate Defenses against Pathogens

Payal Damani-Yokota

Innate Immune Responses and Host Defense: Cellular Mechanisms (INC)

2026