IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Immune checkpoint blockade enhances CD4 effector function to control persistent viral infection

Immune checkpoint blockade enhances CD4 effector function to control persistent viral infection

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker investigated how IL-27 influences control of chronic LCMV infection. Using an IL-27 reporter mouse, they found IL-27 was produced mainly by innate cells early and by B cells throughout infection, with monocytes and dendritic cells contributing within the innate compartment. Cell-specific deletions showed that B-cell-derived IL-27, but not myeloid- or cDC1-derived IL-27, was critical for long-term viral control. They then tested checkpoint blockade. IL-27 receptor signaling was required for IFN-α/IFN blockade to clear virus and restore IL-21, but IL-27 source was not essential in that context. In contrast, anti–PD-L1 treatment cleared virus even in IL-27 receptor–deficient mice, restoring IL-21 and antibody responses through an IL-27-independent mechanism. Overall, IL-27 is context dependent: essential for IFNAR blockade–mediated control, but dispensable for PD-L1 blockade.

Meta Tag

Date April 19, 2026 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Room 104AB

Session CD4+ T Cell and B Cell Mediated Immunity against Viruses

Speaker Prajakta Warang

Track Viral Immunology (VIR)

Year 2026

Keywords

IL-27

chronic LCMV infection

B cells

checkpoint blockade

viral control

April 19, 2026 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

104AB

CD4+ T Cell and B Cell Mediated Immunity against Viruses

Prajakta Warang

Viral Immunology (VIR)

2026