Stromal Cells in Immunity and Disease

joint with Fibrosis and Tissue Repair: From Molecules and Mechanics to Therapeutic Approaches

Organizer(s): Scott N. Mueller, Jason G. Cyster, Reina E. Mebius and Theresa T. Lu

Sponsored by Merck & Co., Inc. and Roche

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Summary of Meeting:

Non-hematopoietic stromal cells play important roles in many tissues, constructing tissue microenvironments, contributing to tissue repair, defense and immune responses. Within lymphoid organs, stromal cells organize and interact with leukocytes in an immunologically important manner. In addition to organizing T and B cell segregation and expressing lymphocyte survival factors, stromal cells support the migration and interactions between antigen presenting cells and naïve T and B cells during the initiation of immune responses and influence the outcome between tolerance and immunity. Stromal cells also play instrumental roles in coordinating immune responses in non-lymphoid tissues, in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and in chronic infection. For instance, stromal cell dysregulation has been seen in HIV infection and in cancer patients. Furthermore, stromal cells are being harnessed for therapeutic applications in several diseases, an area that holds great promise for improving human health. Our understanding of stromal cell populations and their contributions to innate and adaptive immunity as well as immunological diseases, cancer and vaccination has grown exponentially over the past few years. This emerging field has gained enormous momentum due to increasingly sophisticated tools to dissect the fundamental biology and clinical importance of this cellular compartment. This conference is being held jointly with Fibrosis and Tissue Repair: From Molecules and Mechanics to Therapeutic Approaches. This joint pairing will bring together basic and clinical scientists with interdisciplinary interests in stromal cell biology and disease treatment to discuss critical fundamental and translational advances. The goals of this conference are to showcase cutting-edge results and new directions in the field, stimulate interactions and provide a forum for trainees and new investigators to present their work and interact with leaders in the field.

Scholarship Deadline: October 17 2019

Discounted Abstract Deadline: October 17 2019

Abstract Deadline: November 20 2019

Discounted Registration Deadline: December 18 2019

Abstract submission is now closed. Registered attendees may bring a poster onsite. Please contact our office at +1 800-253-0685; +1 970-262-1230 or email info@keystonesymposia.org if you are interested.

Keystone Symposia thanks our Sponsor(s) for generously supporting this meeting:

We gratefully acknowledge additional support for this conference from:

We gratefully acknowledge additional in-kind support for this conference from those foregoing speaker expense reimbursements:

Genentech, Inc.

We gratefully acknowledge the generous grant for this conference provided by:

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Grant No. 1R13AI149882-01
Funding for this conference was made possible (in part) by 1R13AI149882-01 from the National Institutes of Health. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention by trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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