IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Structural integrity of antigen receptors

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Researchers studied variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs), antibody-like proteins found in jawless vertebrates, to see whether they can mutate and improve affinity like immunoglobulins. Using computational stability modeling and engineered mouse lines, they showed VLRs can support B-cell development and undergo germinal center mutation. Immunized VLR mice produced some variants with modestly increased binding to hen egg lysozyme, including a recurring D38N mutation near the antigen-binding site. The team also built a heavy-chain-only VHH mouse control for comparison. Overall, the work suggests non-immunoglobulin receptors may undergo affinity maturation in vivo.

Meta Tag

Date April 17, 2026 4:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Room 104AB

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

Speaker Jessica Chen

Track Veterinary and Comparative Immunology (VET)

Year 2026

Keywords

variable lymphocyte receptors

affinity maturation

germinal center mutation

B-cell development

VHH mouse control

April 17, 2026 4:15 PM - 4:30 PM

104AB

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

Jessica Chen

Veterinary and Comparative Immunology (VET)

2026