Autoimmunity & Autoinflammation: Translating Basic Mechanisms into Novel Therapeutic Approaches (A2)
January 19-22, 2026
| Keystone Resort, Keystone, CO, United States
Virginia Pascual, Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky, Veit Hornung and Richard M. Siegel
Scholarship Deadline: Oct. 3, 2025 | Abstract Deadline: Dec. 30, 2025 | Early Registration Deadline: Nov. 20, 2025
| 4:00–8:00 PM |
Registration |
Longs Peak Foyer |
| 6:00–8:00 PM |
Welcome Mixer |
Longs Peak Foyer |
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
| 7:00–8:00 AM |
Breakfast |
Longs Peak |
| 8:00–8:15 AM |
Welcome Remarks |
Grays Peak |
| 8:15–9:00 AM |
Keynote Address |
Grays Peak |
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* Veit Hornung, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich
Session Chair |
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Jenny P Ting, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Importance of Innate Immune Receptors in Inflammatory Diseases |
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| 9:00–11:45 AM |
Autoimmunity and Autoinflammation: The Nucleic Acid Sensing Perspective |
Grays Peak |
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* Veit Hornung, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich
Recognition of Non-Self RNA by the Innate Immune System |
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* Michael Crackower, Ventus Therapeutics
Novel Therapies to Target cGAS-STING |
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Marleen Bérouti, LMU
Short Talk: Pseudouridine RNA Avoids Immune Detection through Impaired Endolysosomal Processing and TLR Engagement |
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Joshua McElwee, Nimbus Therapeutics
Short Talk: SLC15A4 Inhibition by NTX-348 Suppresses Endolysosomal Toll-like Receptor Signaling, IRF5 Activation, and the Production of Type I Interferon and Pro-inflammatory Cytokines |
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Martin R Jakobsen, Aarhus University
Short Talk: Treatment with SP2H, a Targeted Degrader of STimulator of INterferon Genes (STING), Leads to Substantial Improvements in Disease Outcomes in two Highly Pathogenic Type 1 Interferonopathy Models |
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Bojan Vilagos, Graph Therapeutics
Short Talk: Functionally-Guided Multiomics Profiling of Human Systemic Inflammation Identifies Myeloid Therapeutic Targets |
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Nicole Wilkinson, UCLA
Short Talk: The Role of Xist in T Cell Function and Female-Biased Autoimmunity |
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| 10:00–10:20 AM |
Coffee Break |
Longs Peak Foyer |
| 11:45–1:00 PM |
Poster Setup |
Longs Peak |
| 11:45–2:30 PM |
On Own for Lunch |
|
| 1:00–10:00 PM |
Poster Viewing |
Longs Peak |
| 2:30–4:30 PM |
Symposia Spotlight |
Grays Peak |
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* Michael B. Brenner, Harvard Medical School
Session Chair |
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Xue Han, The Ohio State University
Immune Checkpoint Activation of PD-1H (VISTA) Fosters Human T-Cell Tolerance |
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Shunsuke Mori, The University of Osaka
Breaking Immune Tolerance: Self and Neoself Discrimination by T cells in Autoimmune Diseases |
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Simone Caielli, Weill Cornell Medical College - Drukier Institute For Children's Health
Single Cell RNA Profiling of Blood CD4+ T Cells Identifies Distinct Helper and Dysfunctional Regulatory Clusters in Children with SLE |
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Ayano Kohlgruber, Boston Children's Hospital
High-Throughput Genetic Screens to Identify Adverse T cell Autoreactivities in Response to Immunotherapy |
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Babak Mehrjou, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Checkpoint-engineered Mini-colon as Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis |
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Katerina Pardali, Citryll BV
Targeting Extracellular Traps with CIT-013: A Translational Approach Linking ET Inhibition, Immune Cell Reprogramming, and Clinical Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis |
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Anthony Ravussin, Nykode Therapeutics
Antigen-Specific Immune Tolerance Induction via APC Targeting: A Novel Precision Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases |
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| 4:30–5:00 PM |
Coffee Available |
Longs Peak Foyer |
| 5:00–6:45 PM |
Inflammasomes: From Basic Mechanisms to Autoinflammatory Diseases |
Grays Peak |
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Franklin Zhong, NTU LKC School of Medicine
The NLRP1 Inflammasome |
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* Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky, NIAID, National Institutes of Health
Novel Mechanisms in Autoinflammatory Diseases |
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* Nick Clarke, NodThera
NLRP3 Inhibitors - The Next Generation of Precision Anti-inflammatory Medicines |
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Luochen Liu, Harvard Medical School/Boston Children's Hospital
Short Talk: Regulated Condensate Formation Governs Pyrin Inflammasome Assembly and Signaling |
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| 7:00–8:00 PM |
Social Hour with Dinner |
Longs Peak |
| 7:30–10:00 PM |
Poster Session 1 |
Longs Peak |
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
| 7:00–8:00 AM |
Breakfast |
Longs Peak |
| 8:00–11:30 AM |
Innate Immune Cell Dysregulation in Autoimmune and AutoInflammatory Diseases |
Grays Peak |
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Musa M. Mhlanga, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences
The Intersection of Epigenetics and Metabolism in Trained Immunity |
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* Virginia Pascual, Cornell University
Innate Immunity Dysregulation in Human Lupus |
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Coco Chu, Tsinghua University
Neuro- and Stromal-immune Interactions in the Intestine |
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* Kate L Jeffrey, Moderna
mRNA: A New Era in Immune Therapeutics |
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Juan Rodriguez-Alcazar, WCM
Short Talk: Mapping the Immune Architecture of Pediatric Lupus Nephritis Across Histological Classes |
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Ramona Johnson, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Short Talk: Investigating the Role of Pyroptotic Monocytes and Macrophages in Citrullinated Autoantigen Generation for Rheumatoid Arthritis |
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Xiao-Fei Kong, UT southwestern medical center
Short Talk: Haploinsufficiency for Human ABCF1 Underlies Gastrointestinal Autoimmunity |
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Thuvaraka Ware, Francis Crick Institute
Short Talk: Major Histocompatibility Complex I (MHC-I) may have a Novel Role in the Regulation of Antibody Mediated Autoimmunity, Independent of CD8+ T Cells |
|
| 9:00–9:20 AM |
Coffee Break |
Longs Peak Foyer |
| 9:20–9:25 AM |
Award Recipient Acknowledgement |
Grays Peak |
| 11:45–1:00 PM |
Poster Setup |
Longs Peak |
| 11:45–3:00 PM |
On Own for Lunch |
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| 1:00–10:00 PM |
Poster Viewing |
Longs Peak |
| 1:45–2:45 PM |
Career Roundtable |
Grays Peak |
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Eric P Hanson, Eli Lilly & Co.
Executive Director, Immunology |
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Melissa Locke Wharton, Allen Institute for Immunology
Scientist II |
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Elaine (YeJin) Jeong, Cell Press
Associate Scientific Editor |
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| 3:00–4:30 PM |
Panel Discussion 1: Interactions with Biotech, Pharma and Venture Capital: Translating Discoveries to Novel Therapeutics |
Grays Peak |
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* Richard M. Siegel, Novartis Biomedical Research
Panel Moderator |
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Kriti Lall, Perceptive Advisors
Panelist |
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Nick Clarke, NodThera
Panelist |
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Markus Warmuth, Monte Rosa Therapeutics Inc
Panelist |
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Michael Crackower, Ventus Therapeutics
Panelist |
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Kara Lassen, Roche
Panelist |
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| 4:30–5:00 PM |
Coffee Available |
Longs Peak Foyer |
| 5:00–7:00 PM |
Adaptive Immune Cell Dysregulation in Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases |
Grays Peak |
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* Francisco J Quintana, Brigham and Women's Hospital / Harvard Medical School & Broad Institute
Disease-Associated Astrocyte Epigenetic Memory Promotes CNS Pathology |
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* Carola G. Vinuesa, Francis Crick Institute
Preclinical Models of Human Monogenic Autoimmunity |
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Mark J. Shlomchik, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
How Systemic Autoimmunity Starts and How it Spreads |
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Aleksandra Bylinska, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Short Talk: Early Disruption of B cell Development and Tolerance Pathways across the Preclinical Systemic Autoimmune Disease Continuum |
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Adam N. Cartwright, Monte Rosa Therapeutics
Short Talk: MRT-6160, a Highly Selective and First-in-class VAV1-directed Molecular Glue Degrader, Demonstrates Activity in Multiple Immune-mediated Disease Models |
|
| 7:00–8:00 PM |
Social Hour with Dinner |
Longs Peak |
| 7:30–10:00 PM |
Poster Session 2 |
Longs Peak |
Thursday, January 22, 2026
| 7:00–8:00 AM |
Breakfast |
Longs Peak |
| 8:00–11:30 AM |
Stromal Cells in Autoinflammation and Autoimmunity: From Basic Mechanisms to Precision Medicine |
Grays Peak |
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Shahin Rafii, Weill Cornell Medical College
Dysfunction of Tissue-specific Endothelial Cells in Triggering Auto-immunity |
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Michael B. Brenner, Harvard Medical School
Identifying Pathways for Targeting Fibroblasts in Inflammatory and Fibrotic Diseases |
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* Ken H Cadwell, University of Pennsylvania
Mechanisms of Intestinal Tissue Resilience to Immune-Mediated Damage |
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* Kara Lassen, Roche
Patient Stratification Towards Precision Medicine in IBD |
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Andrew Z Wang, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Short Talk: Immune-Checkpoint Engineered Normal Tissues: A Curative Approach to Autoimmune Diseases |
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Adiba I Azad, Mayo Clinic
Short Talk: Profibrogenic Cholangiocyte-MAIT Cell-Fibroblast Axis in Immune Mediated Liver Disease |
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Javier Cote-Sierra, Allianthera Biopharma
Short Talk: Therapeutic AhR Activation Ameliorates Colitis Through Regulation of Inflammation, Gut Barrier Homeostasis, and Fibrosis |
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Kayla Fasano, Benaroya Research Institute
Short Talk: Autoantibodies to αvβ6 Inhibit Mucosal TGFβ Activation and Increase Susceptibility to Colitis |
|
| 9:00–9:20 AM |
Coffee Break |
Longs Peak Foyer |
| 11:30–2:30 PM |
On Own for Lunch |
|
| 2:30–4:30 PM |
Panel Discussion 2: Research and Funding Opportunities from Governments, Pharma, Academia, and Foundations |
Grays Peak |
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* Virginia Pascual, Cornell University
Panel Moderator |
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Stacy E Ferguson, NIAID, National Institutes of Health
Panelist |
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Angela Dobes, IBD Plexus at Crohn's and Colitis Foundation
Panelist |
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Michael Crackower, Ventus Therapeutics
Panelist |
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Veit Hornung, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich
Panelist |
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Richard M. Siegel, Novartis Biomedical Research
Panelist |
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Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky, NIAID, National Institutes of Health
Panelist |
|
| 4:30–5:00 PM |
Coffee Available |
Longs Peak Foyer |
| 5:00–6:45 PM |
Novel Disease Insights and Therapies: Lessons from Tissue Profiling |
Grays Peak |
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Tobias Lanz, Stanford University
Roadmap for Understanding Mechanisms on how Epstein-Barr Virus Triggers Multiple Sclerosis and for Developing Therapeutic Approaches |
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* Shruti Naik, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Mapping Inflammatory Disease over Space and Time |
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* Richard M. Siegel, Novartis Biomedical Research
Novel Approaches to Tissue B Cell Depletion in Autoimmune Diseases |
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Aleksandra Ivovic, Wellcome Sanger Institute
Short Talk: Ultra-Sensitive Sequencing Identifies Potentially Disease-Driving Somatic Mutations in X-linked Genes in Salivary Gland Lymphocytes in Sjögren Disease |
|
| 6:45–7:00 PM |
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions (Organizers) |
Grays Peak |
| 7:00–8:00 PM |
Social Hour with Dinner |
Longs Peak |
| 8:00–9:00 PM |
Entertainment |
Longs Peak |
| 8:00–9:00 PM |
Cash Bar |
Longs Peak |
