IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Studying fat as a driver of inflammatory disease

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Video Summary

The speaker described research on how neutrophils, despite being short-lived immune cells, are metabolically active and can take up external lipids from their environment. Using fluorescent and mass spectrometry approaches, the lab showed neutrophils readily internalize palmitate and oxidized LDL, then store these lipids in droplets and other lipid forms. Lipid uptake was regulated by specific inflammatory signals, especially TLR2/6 signaling, while LPS had little effect. Neutrophils that accumulated lipid underwent major cytoskeletal changes and showed reduced migration, suggesting altered function. In atherosclerosis models, lipid-loaded neutrophils were found in mouse and human plaques; genetic loss of neutrophils or neutrophil TLR2 reduced plaque size. The speaker proposed that neutrophils may help initiate or sustain plaques by taking up lipids, becoming functionally altered, and recruiting other immune cells. Outstanding questions include why lipid uptake is triggered, how it affects host defense, and what happens to lipid-rich neutrophils when they die.

Meta Tag

Date April 17, 2026 8:33 AM - 9:06 AM

Room Ballroom

Session Major Symposium D: Obesity, Environment, and Immunity, Sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company

Speaker Emily Goldberg

Track Cellular Adhesion, Migration, and Inflammation (CAM)

Year 2026

Keywords

neutrophil lipid uptake

oxidized LDL

TLR2/6 signaling

lipid droplets

atherosclerosis plaques

immune cell migration

April 17, 2026 8:33 AM - 9:06 AM

Ballroom

Major Symposium D: Obesity, Environment, and Immunity, Sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company

Emily Goldberg

Cellular Adhesion, Migration, and Inflammation (CAM)

2026