Stromal Immunology in Health and Disease
Feb 02–05, 2026 | Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, AB, Canada
Scientific Organizers:
Anne Fletcher, Sanjiv A. Luther, Viviana Cremasco, and Michael B. Brenner
×
-
Feb 02–05, 2026 | Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, AB, Canada
Scientific Organizers: Anne Fletcher, Sanjiv A. Luther, Viviana Cremasco, and Michael B. Brenner
Anne Fletcher, PhD
Monash University
Anne Fletcher, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Australia where she directs a Cancer Research program bridging academia and industry. As an expert in the tissue microenvironment, she has made seminal contributions to
stromal regulation of T cell function in lymph nodes, driving target discovery and defining key molecular mechanisms used by fibroblasts to suppress T cell function. In 2018, she founded a successful stromal
immunology research network for Australia and New Zealand, convening 5 international annual scientific meetings, and founded a Stromal Immunology social media platform.
stromal regulation of T cell function in lymph nodes, driving target discovery and defining key molecular mechanisms used by fibroblasts to suppress T cell function. In 2018, she founded a successful stromal
immunology research network for Australia and New Zealand, convening 5 international annual scientific meetings, and founded a Stromal Immunology social media platform.
Sanjiv A. Luther, PhD
University of Lausanne
Sanjiv Luther, PhD, is an internationally renowned expert in lymphoid organ biology, with a career focus onthe roles of Fibroblastic Reticular Cells (FRCs) and endothelial cells in immune regulation. He is a Full Professor at the University of Lausanne, and director of a research laboratory that has made field-defining insights in factors regulating adaptive and innate immunity. A global thought leader, Dr. Luther regularly serves as an organizer, presenter and session chair at major international conferences.
Viviana Cremasco, PhD
Novartis Biomedical Research
Viviana Cremasco, Ph.D., is Associate Director of Oncology Translational Research at Novartis. Dr. Cremasco has made significant contributions to the field of stromal immunology and tissue microenvironment, providing critical insights onto fibroblast phenotypes and subsets regulating T/B cell activity in secondary lymphoid organs and in tumors. Her work in human pancreatic cancer has elucidated tractable axes of stromal-cancer cell crosstalk axes for therapeutic intervention. She frequently presents at international meetings and organized the first two Cambridge Healthtech Institute stroma-focused conferences. Note: As a scientist based in industry, Dr. Cremasco does not have an eRA Commons account (Commons ID) and thus could not provide a Biosketch or be identified as Senior/Key Personnel in this grant application. Her commitment to this meeting is detailed in her letter of support.
Michael B. Brenner, MD
Harvard Medical School
Michael Brenner, M.D., is a world-renowned pioneer in fundamental and translational fibroblast-mediated pathology, with expertise in synovial biology and rheumatoid arthritis. He is the Elizabeth Fay Brigham Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where heserves as Director of the Center for Human Immunology and Director of Cell and Molecular Immunology in the Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity. His work has provided critical insights into key molecular mechanisms of synovial fibroblast differentiation and cytokine production. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has been recognized with numerous honors and prizes.
Available Formats:
Supported by the Directors' Fund
In Person
On Demand
***Meeting program subject to change.
Available Formats: = In Person = On DemandMonday, February 2, 2026
Fundraising
Booking Function
Merchandise Options
Registration Options
Registration
4:00–8:00 PM
Van Horne Foyer
Welcome Mixer
6:00–8:00 PM
Van Horne Foyer
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
President's Hall
Welcome Remarks (Joint)
8:00–8:10 AM
Van Horne A/B
Keynote Address (Joint)
8:10–9:00 AM
Van Horne A/B
Thomas A Wynn, Pfizer
Anti-Fibrotic Therapy: Thinking outside the TGF-beta box
Anti-Fibrotic Therapy: Thinking outside the TGF-beta box
From Fibroblasts to Fibrosis, and Back Again (Joint)
9:00–11:30 AM
Van Horne A/B
Boris Hinz, St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto
To Push or Pull? How the Mechanical Environment Affects Stromal Activation
To Push or Pull? How the Mechanical Environment Affects Stromal Activation
Sheila A. Stewart, Washington University School of Medicine
Stromal Reprogramming Sensitizes Metastatic Breast Cancer to Immunotherapy
Stromal Reprogramming Sensitizes Metastatic Breast Cancer to Immunotherapy
Michael B. Brenner, Harvard Medical School
Regulators of Fibroblast Inflammation, Tissue Degradation and Fibrosis
Regulators of Fibroblast Inflammation, Tissue Degradation and Fibrosis
Gisli Jenkins †, Imperial College London
Short Talk: DEMISTIFIing Multi-Organ Fibrosis
Short Talk: DEMISTIFIing Multi-Organ Fibrosis
Angela Riedel, University of Würzburg
Short Talk: A TLR4-Dependent Fibroblast-Monocyte Axis in Tumor-Draining Lymph Nodes Contributes to Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Short Talk: A TLR4-Dependent Fibroblast-Monocyte Axis in Tumor-Draining Lymph Nodes Contributes to Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Coffee Break
9:30–9:50 AM
Van Horne Foyer
Award Recipient Acknowledgement
9:50–9:55 AM
Van Horne A/B
Poster Setup
11:30–1:00 PM
Van Horne C
On Own for Lunch
11:30–2:30 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Van Horne C
Symposia Spotlight 1: Late Breaking News
2:30–4:30 PM
Van Horne B
Jovana Cupovic, Uniklinik Freiburg/ Max Planck Institute for Immunology and Epigenetics
Mitochondrial Network Remodeling Governs Lymph Node Fibroblastic Stromal Cell Function to Enable Protective Immunity
Mitochondrial Network Remodeling Governs Lymph Node Fibroblastic Stromal Cell Function to Enable Protective Immunity
Vineet Joag, SCRI, University of Washington
Primate Resident Memory T Cells Activate Humoral and Stromal Immunity
Primate Resident Memory T Cells Activate Humoral and Stromal Immunity
Alisa A Mueller †, Stanford University, Palo Alto VA Medical Center
CRISPR-Cas9 Screen Uncovers Key Global Regulators of Fibroblast Inflammation
CRISPR-Cas9 Screen Uncovers Key Global Regulators of Fibroblast Inflammation
Veronika Lukacs-Kornek, University of Bonn
Obesity-Induced Stromal Remodeling and Premature Fibroblast Aging in the Lung
Obesity-Induced Stromal Remodeling and Premature Fibroblast Aging in the Lung
Maria Tsoumakidou, BSRC Al. Fleming
Identity Loss and Trans-Differentiation of Interstitial Macrophages To Fibroblasts In Lung Tumors
Identity Loss and Trans-Differentiation of Interstitial Macrophages To Fibroblasts In Lung Tumors
Ramona Emig, University of Miami
CD4+ T cell-Derived Interferon-γ Instructs Extracellular Matrix Stiffening By Cardiac Fibroblasts Through LOXL3
CD4+ T cell-Derived Interferon-γ Instructs Extracellular Matrix Stiffening By Cardiac Fibroblasts Through LOXL3
Qidi Yang, Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Telocytes Orchestrate ECM Remodeling and Immune Cell Trafficking through LRP1-Dependent Regulation in IBD
Telocytes Orchestrate ECM Remodeling and Immune Cell Trafficking through LRP1-Dependent Regulation in IBD
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Van Horne Foyer
Stromal Development, Identity and Heterogeneity
5:00–7:00 PM
Van Horne B
Sanjiv A. Luther, University of Lausanne
Mechanisms of Fibroblast Specialization and Lymphoid Organ Compartmentalization
Mechanisms of Fibroblast Specialization and Lymphoid Organ Compartmentalization
Sophie E Acton, University College London
Podoplanin-dependent regulation of fibroblast phenotype and immune crosstalk
Podoplanin-dependent regulation of fibroblast phenotype and immune crosstalk
Anne Fletcher, Monash University
Molecular Drivers of Fibroblast Differentiation and T Cell Suppression
Molecular Drivers of Fibroblast Differentiation and T Cell Suppression
Christopher G Mueller †, CNRS-University of Strasbourg
Short Talk: Regulating B cell-associated Mesenchymal Cell Differentiation by a Phospholipid Metabolite
Short Talk: Regulating B cell-associated Mesenchymal Cell Differentiation by a Phospholipid Metabolite
Mark Coles, University of Oxford
Short Talk: The Embryonic Origins of Site-Specific Arthritis: Role of Stromal Cell Stoichiometry
Short Talk: The Embryonic Origins of Site-Specific Arthritis: Role of Stromal Cell Stoichiometry
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
President's Hall
Poster Session 1
7:30–10:00 PM
Van Horne C
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
President's Hall
Stromal Responses to Inflammation: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
8:00–11:00 AM
Van Horne B
Ari B Molofsky, University of California San Francisco
Stromal – Immune Tissue Niches in Health and Disease
Stromal – Immune Tissue Niches in Health and Disease
Natalia Pikor, ETH Zurich / Kantonsspital St.Gallen
Fibroblast - Immune Cell Crosstalk in the Inflamed CNS
Fibroblast - Immune Cell Crosstalk in the Inflamed CNS
Mariapia A Degli-Esposti, Monash University
Viral Targeting of Lymphoid Fibroblasts Yields Immunological Outcomes
Viral Targeting of Lymphoid Fibroblasts Yields Immunological Outcomes
Tatiana V Petrova, University of Lausanne
Mechanosensitive mTORC1 Signaling Maintains Lymphatic Valves
Mechanosensitive mTORC1 Signaling Maintains Lymphatic Valves
Lina Daniel, The University of Sydney
Short Talk: Stromal–Immune Remodeling Establishes a Lymph Node Niche that Promotes Mycobacterium tuberculosis Persistence
Short Talk: Stromal–Immune Remodeling Establishes a Lymph Node Niche that Promotes Mycobacterium tuberculosis Persistence
Mir Howlader †, Hospital for Special Surgery
Short Talk: Lymphatic Dysfunction in Lupus Contributes to Cutaneous Photosensitivity and Lymph Node B Cell Responses
Short Talk: Lymphatic Dysfunction in Lupus Contributes to Cutaneous Photosensitivity and Lymph Node B Cell Responses
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Van Horne Foyer
Poster Setup
11:00–1:00 PM
Van Horne C
On Own for Lunch
11:00–1:30 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Van Horne C
Symposia Spotlight 2: New Paradigms in Stromal Biology and Crosstalk
1:30–3:15 PM
Van Horne B
Naïma Böllenrücher, University of Lausanne
Notch2 Orchestrates Secondary Lymphoid Organ Organization By Directing Fibroblast Cell Fate
Notch2 Orchestrates Secondary Lymphoid Organ Organization By Directing Fibroblast Cell Fate
Ira Fleming, University of Colorado, Anschutz
mRNA, Protein, and Protein-Anchored-mRNA Vaccines Are Uniquely Distributed and Retained Across Lymph Node Stromal Cell Populations
mRNA, Protein, and Protein-Anchored-mRNA Vaccines Are Uniquely Distributed and Retained Across Lymph Node Stromal Cell Populations
Elham Karimizadeh, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
Contact with Endothelial Cells Drives Myofibroblast Activation of Pericytes
Contact with Endothelial Cells Drives Myofibroblast Activation of Pericytes
Erika E McCartney, University of Toronto
Pi16+ Fibroblasts Orchestrate Inflammation via Tgfbr2 Signalling
Pi16+ Fibroblasts Orchestrate Inflammation via Tgfbr2 Signalling
Sam Kemble, University of Birmingham
Targeted Fibroblast Depletion Recalibrates the Inflammatory Microenvironment and Restores Tissue Homeostasis
Targeted Fibroblast Depletion Recalibrates the Inflammatory Microenvironment and Restores Tissue Homeostasis
Jeremiah Bernier-Latmani †, University of Lausanne
Eosinophils Promote a Second Wave of Postnatal Smooth Muscle Differentiation in Intestinal Villi
Eosinophils Promote a Second Wave of Postnatal Smooth Muscle Differentiation in Intestinal Villi
Alec Walker, Boston Children's Hospital
Early Life Stromal Niches Orchestrate B Lymphopoiesis at the Brain’s Borders
Early Life Stromal Niches Orchestrate B Lymphopoiesis at the Brain’s Borders
Career Roundtable (Joint)
3:30–4:30 PM
Van Horne B
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Van Horne Foyer
The Pathogenic Tumor Microenvironment
5:00–7:00 PM
Van Horne B
Ruth Scherz-Shouval, Weizmann Institute of Science
Hierarchy of Tumor Cell-Cell Signaling Interactions Dominated by Fibroblasts
Hierarchy of Tumor Cell-Cell Signaling Interactions Dominated by Fibroblasts
Michael J Briskin, Phenomic.AI
scRNA Analysis at Scale Identifies CTHRC1 as a Novel Tumor-Stroma Target
scRNA Analysis at Scale Identifies CTHRC1 as a Novel Tumor-Stroma Target
Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou, Institut Curie
Stromal Spatial Transcriptomics and Therapy Resistance in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Stromal Spatial Transcriptomics and Therapy Resistance in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Elijah Kirschstein, The Ohio State University
Short Talk: Myofibroblast Programming Blocks Differentiation of TLS-Organizing Fibroblastic Reticular Cells in Pancreatic Cancer
Short Talk: Myofibroblast Programming Blocks Differentiation of TLS-Organizing Fibroblastic Reticular Cells in Pancreatic Cancer
Harry Horsnell, University of Melbourne
Short Talk: Local Invasion of Melanoma Metastasis into Lymph Nodes Drives Spatially Restricted Immunosuppressive Niches Underpinned by Distinct Fibroblastic Populations
Short Talk: Local Invasion of Melanoma Metastasis into Lymph Nodes Drives Spatially Restricted Immunosuppressive Niches Underpinned by Distinct Fibroblastic Populations
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
President's Hall
Poster Session 2
7:30–10:00 PM
Van Horne C
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
President's Hall
Molecular Mechanisms of Stromal Programming and Reprogramming
8:00–11:00 AM
Van Horne B
Beth A. Tamburini, University of Colorado Denver Anchutz Medical Campus
Lymph Node Stromal Cell Mechanisms of Immune Regulation
Lymph Node Stromal Cell Mechanisms of Immune Regulation
Marc Bajénoff, Centre d'Immunologie Marseille-Luminy
Macrophage-Fibroblast Interaction Modules
Macrophage-Fibroblast Interaction Modules
Michael Sixt, Institute of Science and Technology Austria
Fibroblast-Leukocyte Morphodynamics
Fibroblast-Leukocyte Morphodynamics
George A Kollias, Biomedical Sciences Research Center 'Alexander Fleming'
'Fibroblasts Transitioning from Homeostasis to Inflammation to Fibrosis
'Fibroblasts Transitioning from Homeostasis to Inflammation to Fibrosis
Apple C Vollmers, Genentech
Short Talk: Reciprocal Regulation Between Fibroblasts and Macrophages Maintains Skin Homeostasis and Integrity
Short Talk: Reciprocal Regulation Between Fibroblasts and Macrophages Maintains Skin Homeostasis and Integrity
Alice Denton †, Imperial College London
Short Talk: TLR4-adjuvanted Vaccination Accelerates Germinal Centre Formation by Remodelling the Fibroblast Network
Short Talk: TLR4-adjuvanted Vaccination Accelerates Germinal Centre Formation by Remodelling the Fibroblast Network
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Van Horne Foyer
On Own for Lunch
11:00–2:30 PM
Symposia Spotlight 3: Stromal Commonalities Across Diseases
2:30–4:30 PM
Van Horne B
Ritusree Biswas †, University of California San Francisco
An Inhibitory Fibroblast Constrains The Adventitial Niche To Suppress Allergic Inflammation in The Lung
An Inhibitory Fibroblast Constrains The Adventitial Niche To Suppress Allergic Inflammation in The Lung
Melanie Smith †, Hospital for Special Surgery
Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts Modulate T Cell Activation
Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts Modulate T Cell Activation
Tiphaine Camarasa, University of Basel
B Cell - Stromal Cell Interactions During Tuberculosis
B Cell - Stromal Cell Interactions During Tuberculosis
Ricardo A Irizarry-Caro, Genentech
A Latency-Associated Protein Motif Decouples the Integrin-Dependent and Independent Activities of Latent TGF-β3
A Latency-Associated Protein Motif Decouples the Integrin-Dependent and Independent Activities of Latent TGF-β3
Anil Bhushan, University of California, San Francisco
Blocking Osteoprotegerin Reprograms Cancer Associated Fibroblast to Promotes Immune Infiltration into the Tumor Microenvironment
Blocking Osteoprotegerin Reprograms Cancer Associated Fibroblast to Promotes Immune Infiltration into the Tumor Microenvironment
Simge Yucel, EPFL
Elucidating the Roles of Stromal FMRP Expression in the Programming of CAFs to Support Immune Evasion
Elucidating the Roles of Stromal FMRP Expression in the Programming of CAFs to Support Immune Evasion
Grace L Wong, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Lymphatic Endothelial Cells and Fibroblastic Reticular Cell Subtypes in the Recruitment and Colonization of Cancer Cells to Lymph Node
Lymphatic Endothelial Cells and Fibroblastic Reticular Cell Subtypes in the Recruitment and Colonization of Cancer Cells to Lymph Node
Melodie Doute †, St Jude Children's Research Hospital
Targeting EBF1-ITGβ8 Axis in Bone Marrow Stromal Cells During Myelofibrosis
Targeting EBF1-ITGβ8 Axis in Bone Marrow Stromal Cells During Myelofibrosis
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Van Horne Foyer
Therapeutic Modulation of Stromal Cell Function (Joint)
5:00–6:45 PM
Van Horne A/B
Viviana Cremasco, Novartis Biomedical Research
TGFb Neutralization and Tumor Stroma Modulation: From Bench to Bed
TGFb Neutralization and Tumor Stroma Modulation: From Bench to Bed
Yuval Rinkevich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, GmbH
Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair
Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair
Burkhard Ludewig, Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Immunomodulation of Myocardial Fibrosis
Immunomodulation of Myocardial Fibrosis
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions (Organizers) (Joint)
6:45–7:00 PM
Van Horne A/B
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
President's Hall
Entertainment
8:00–11:00 PM
Cash Bar
8:00–11:00 PM
Friday, February 6, 2026
Departure
12:00–11:59 PM
Subscribe for Updates