IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Nuclear estrogen receptors modulate regulatory T cell suppressive function

Nuclear estrogen receptors modulate regulatory T cell suppressive function

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Video Summary

Alicia Brancano presented research on how nuclear estrogen receptors affect regulatory T cells (Tregs), especially in inflammatory bowel disease. She explained that ER alpha and ER beta have opposing roles: ER alpha tends to promote inflammation, while ER beta often counteracts it. Her lab found that in Crohn’s disease, especially in female patients, ER beta expression is reduced, increasing the ER alpha:ER beta ratio.  <br /><br />Using mouse models, she showed that deleting ER alpha in T cells reduces colitis, while deleting ER beta worsens it. In Treg experiments, ER beta signaling appeared important for Treg differentiation and suppressive activity. Ex vivo, ER alpha knockout Tregs were more suppressive than wild-type or ER beta knockout Tregs. In vivo, ER beta knockout Tregs were less able to prevent colitis, leading to worse weight loss, colon damage, and inflammatory cytokine expression.  <br /><br />Overall, the study concludes that ER beta supports Treg suppressive function and may help limit intestinal inflammation.

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Date April 17, 2026 9:45 AM - 10:00 AM

Room 156

Session New Paradigms in T Cell Regulation

Speaker Alyssia Broncano

Track Immune Response Regulation: Cellular Mechanisms (IRC)

Year 2026

Keywords

nuclear estrogen receptors

regulatory T cells

ER beta

Crohn's disease

intestinal inflammation

April 17, 2026 9:45 AM - 10:00 AM

156

New Paradigms in T Cell Regulation

Alyssia Broncano

Immune Response Regulation: Cellular Mechanisms (IRC)

2026