IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Journey to the undiscovere'd country of B cell memory

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Frances Lund’s lecture focused on how B cells communicate and differentiate into either plasma cells or memory B cells in response to infection and inflammation. Historically, B cells were viewed mainly as antibody producers, but her lab showed they also secrete cytokines that shape immune responses. Using mouse and human models, her team found that B cells activated in type 1 inflammatory environments become “BE1” cells, while those in type 2 settings become “BE2” cells, and these subsets influence T cell responses in return.<br /><br />A major theme was the importance of interferon-gamma, TBET, and IRF1 in driving pathogenic B cell responses, especially in flu infection and lupus-like autoimmunity. TBET helps B cells become metabolically poised, suppresses inflammatory antiviral programs, and supports rapid plasma cell differentiation and long-lived antibody production. In autoimmune settings, TBET is required for disease-driving antibody responses and memory B cell maintenance.<br /><br />Her newest work shows IRF1 is also crucial: it promotes IRF4, supports effector memory and plasma cell formation, and helps push B cells toward inflammatory antibody-producing pathways. Without IRF1, B cells shift toward more stem-like memory cells and regulatory, IL-10-like plasma cells. Overall, the talk highlighted how understanding B cell fate decisions may lead to more precise treatments for infection, autoimmunity, allergy, and cancer.

Meta Tag

Date April 17, 2026 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM

Room Ballroom

Session Distinguished Lecture - Frances E. Lund

Speaker Frances Lund

Track Lymphocyte Differentiation and Peripheral Maintenance (LYM)

Year 2026

Keywords

B cells

plasma cells

memory B cells

cytokines

TBET

IRF1

immune responses

autoimmunity

April 17, 2026 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM

Ballroom

Distinguished Lecture - Frances E. Lund

Frances Lund

Lymphocyte Differentiation and Peripheral Maintenance (LYM)

2026