Immunology Day 2026: LIT Researchers Shed Light on Regulatory T Cells
April 29 is recognized worldwide as “Immunology Day.” Everyone is familiar with cancer, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory reactions. But the immune system’s role in these conditions is often unclear to the public. “Immunology for Everyone,” an initiative of the German Society for Immunology (DGfI), calls on immunology experts every year to share their knowledge through informational posters. This year’s theme “Regulatory T Cells: Guardians of Immune Balance”, is particularly timely: the 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine honored Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell und Shimon Sakaguchi for their work in this area. Dr. Frauke Hoffmann and Ardita Ramadani from the Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy are among the researchers working on these immune cells and have designed an informational poster focusing on wound healing. In an interview, they explain how the project came about and what motivated them to participate.
About the informational poster: Regulatory T Cells & Wound HealingArticle Details
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Date Published
April 29, 2026
Why did you decide to explain such a complex topic to the public?
On “Immunology Day,” we aim to make a topic more accessible that is often misunderstood or overlooked, because it can be complex and feel distant from many people’s everyday lives. Our poster highlights the many roles the immune system plays in the body and is intended to reduce the fear that can arise when the subject seems unfamiliar. We also enjoyed the challenge of presenting a difficult topic in a way that is both simple and understandable.
Dr. Frauke Hoffmann and Ardita Ramadani (left) not only created an informational poster for “Immunology Day” but also organized an exhibition in the lobby of the University Hospital of Regensburg. It will be on display until May 15. Photo: LIT
What should everyone understand when they first hear about regulatory T cells? What would be your personal take-home message?
Many people have heard the term “T cells” before and have some idea what it means. Or they understand that we have cells in our bodies that, in the course of an illness, ensure that pathogens are removed or fought off so that we can recover quickly. But there are also cells in our immune system whose job is to keep other immune cells in check – and those are the regulatory T cells.
But why do we need them at all? Without regulatory T cells, there would be no brake on an immune response: they stop an ongoing immune system reaction once the threat (for example from pathogens) has been eliminated and even recognize T cells that attack the body’s own cells. In this way, they ensure that the immune response remains intact.
What personally fascinates you about regulatory T cells and motivates your research on them?
What’s exciting about regulatory T cells is the paradox inherent in them: they weaken or suppress the immune system to ultimately strengthen it. Furthermore, they have an enormous influence on many disease states, which we are gradually beginning to understand better. This knowledge contributes to the development of new therapies, for example for autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation.
LIT Keynote Speaker in Webinar "Immunology Day" on April 30
In addition Prof. Matthias Edinger, Director and Qualified Person of JCC & Head of Research Group "Immunoregulation" will participate as a keynote speaker in a webinar specially organized for the Immunology Day. His presentation is titled “Immunoregulation in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.” Participation is free of charge.