Events
The Conference on Immune Tolerance Dedicated to the International Day of Immunology
04 05 2026
On 29 April 2026, the conference dedicated to the International Day of Immunology, ‘Immune Tolerance: How Does the Immune System Distinguish Friends from Foes?’, was held in the Small Hall of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. The event was organised by the Lithuanian Society for Immunology (LSI) together with the Division of Biological, Medical, and Geosciences of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.
The participants in the conference were welcomed by President of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences Prof. Vytautas Nekrošius. He emphasised the importance of such events and was pleased to see the active community of immunologists, which not only shares the latest scientific knowledge but also creates a space for discussions and cooperation. Prof. Nekrošius also praised the involvement of young researchers, encouraging them to choose the path of immunology and pointing out that this field of research is extremely important for both scientific progress and public health.
The International Immunology Day is celebrated annually on 29 April. This year, it was dedicated to immune tolerance with the theme ‘Regulatory T Cells: Guardians of Immune Balance’. Immune tolerance is an important mechanism that maintains the balance of the immune system and allows avoiding excessive or harmful reactions. The relevance of this topic is further emphasised by the 2025 Nobel Prize, awarded for research on peripheral immune tolerance and regulatory T cells (Tregs).
The conference programme consistently revealed different aspects of immune tolerance, from fundamental scientific discoveries to clinical application. Prof. Aurelija Žvirblienė presented the discoveries in immunology, which were awarded the Nobel Prize, and their significance for the concept of immune tolerance. Prof. Vita Pašukonienė discussed the role of Tregs in oncology, and Dr Edita Gasiūnienė explained the functions of these cells in the context of allergic and autoimmune diseases.
The conference concluded with a presentation by Dr Rūta Inčiūraitė, who reviewed the role of Tregs in intestinal immune homeostasis and revealed their importance in maintaining the balance of the immune system. At the end of the conference, its participants were invited to continue the discussion in an informal part of the event.
Academician Aurelija Žvirblienė, President of the Lithuanian Society of Immunologists
Photography Virginija Valuckienė
