IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-The role of T cells in uterine turnover and homeostasis

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Kirti Nath described research on how T cells help regulate rapid uterine/endometrial turnover during the mouse estrous cycle. Because the endometrium can lose 40&ndash;60% of its mass within 12&ndash;24 hours, Nath proposed that progesterone withdrawal alone is too slow to explain normal tissue breakdown. In T-cell&ndash;deficient mice, estrous was prolonged and endometrial apoptosis was reduced, suggesting T cells accelerate breakdown. Imaging showed abundant CD4 T cells in the endometrium, peaking at estrous and activating antigen-response pathways, including PD1. This activation depended on MHC class II, was not driven by microbiota, and likely reflected recognition of self-antigens. Blocking T-cell trafficking reduced accumulation, and restoring uterine-draining lymph nodes rescued cycle timing. In T-cell&ndash;deficient mice, collagen accumulated, hinting at a pre-fibrotic state and reduced fertility. Nath concluded that physiologic, self-reactive CD4 T cells support endometrial homeostasis and reproductive function.

Meta Tag

Date April 16, 2026 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

Room 104AB

Session Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms of Autoreactivity

Speaker Kirti Nath

Track Basic Autoimmunity (BA)

Year 2026

Keywords

T cells

endometrial turnover

estrous cycle

CD4 T cells

uterine homeostasis

April 16, 2026 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

104AB

Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms of Autoreactivity

Kirti Nath

Basic Autoimmunity (BA)

2026