Beijing, May 30–31, 2026 - The 2026 CSI Immunology Frontier Forum Series (Session 2), held jointly with the Immunosenescence Frontier Forum, was successfully convened at the No.1 Auditorium of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC) from May 30 to 31, 2026.

The forum was co-hosted by the Chinese Society for Immunology (CSI) and CAMS & PUMC, and co-organized by the journals Immunity & Inflammation and Aging Research. The event was jointly initiated by Professor Xuetao Cao, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Professor Bo Huang, President of the CSI. It was co-chaired by Professor Guobing Chen (Jinan University), Professor Yichuan Xiao(Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Professor Hongbo Hu(Sichuan University), and Professor Mingzhao Zhu (Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences).

The forum brought together nearly 30 distinguished experts and scholars from immunology and related interdisciplinary fields across China. Under the theme "Systemic Mechanisms and Precision Intervention in Immunosenescence", the program featured a series of invited presentations and in-depth discussions covering the latest advances and key challenges in fundamental research, clinical translation, and emerging technologies in immunosenescence. The event significantly advanced academic cross-fertilization and integration between immunology and aging research.

The main venue of the forum (Credit: Chinese Society for Immunology)

Opening Ceremony: Responding to the Challenges of Population Aging through Immunosenescence Research

The opening ceremony was held on the morning of May 30 and was chaired by Professor Guobing Chen, co‑chair of the forum. Professor Bo Huang, President of the CSI, delivered the opening address. He pointed out that immunosenescence research is not only a fundamental scientific question for understanding the mechanisms of aging, but also a critical entry point for addressing aging‑related infections, tumours, chronic inflammation, and age‑associated diseases in the context of population aging. He expressed the hope that this forum would serve as a high‑quality platform for domestic scholars in the field of immunosenescence to foster in‑depth interaction among basic research, cutting‑edge technologies, and clinical translation, thereby providing scientific support for the national strategy of healthy ageing.

The opening ceremony (Credit: Chinese Society for Immunology)

Day 1 Sessions (May 30): From Metabolic Regulation to T Cell Senescence

The first plenary session on the morning of May 30 was chaired by Professor Guobing Chen. Professor Bo Huang delivered a talk entitled "Glycogen Metabolism and Aging", systematically presenting the important role of metabolic regulation in aging and immune function. Professor Guanghui Liu shared recent findings on "Programming and Reprogramming of Immunosenescence", highlighting the plasticity of immune system aging and potential intervention strategies. Professor Yichuan Xiao focused on "Immunosenescence and Tumor Immunity", elucidating the changes in antitumor immunity under aging conditions and their implications for cancer immunotherapy. Professor Hongbo Hu introduced the latest advances in "Human T‑Cell Development and Aging", while Professor Yifu Qiu presented on "Type 2 Immunity in Regulating Macrophages and Organismal Aging".

During the subsequent journal introduction session, Dr. Yang Pu, Editorial Director of Immunity & Inflammation, provided practical guidance on the journal's scope, submission requirements, and publication strategies. Professor Guobing Chen, Editor-in-Chief of Aging Research, introduced the journal's philosophy, priority research areas, manuscript selection criteria, and key points for submission and publication. Following these presentations, the participating experts engaged in a lively discussion on disciplinary development, future perspectives, and journal expectations in immunosenescence.

The afternoon session on May 30 was chaired by Professor Yichuan Xiao. Professor Hai Qi, Professor Meng Zhao, Professor Wei Lv, and Professor Jun Jin delivered talks on immune regulatory mechanisms, regulation and intervention of hematopoietic stem cell aging,  the role of TPP2 in promoting asymmetric cell division to delay memory CD8⁺ T cell senescence, and human T cell aging, respectively. Subsequently, Professor Guobing Chen presented on the biological basis, digital quantification, and scientific intervention of immune health in aging. Professor Bing Wu, Professor Hua Qin, and Professor Zhenyu Ju shared their work on molecular regulation of T cell senescence in thymus and tumours, a lifelong atlas of human thymus aging, and key molecular events in cellular senescence, respectively. The session concluded with an intensive group discussion focused on thymic and T cell senescence.

Plenary session on May 30 (Credit: Chinese Society for Immunology)

Day 2 Sessions (May 31): From Immunosenescence Atlases to Longevity Medicine

The morning session on May 31 was chaired by Professor Hongbo Hu. Professor Lilin Ye opened with a talk entitled "New Strategies for Driving Bystander T Cells in Anticancer Therapy", sharing insights into T cell response regulation and tumor immunotherapy. Professor Ye Tian presented on "Mitochondrial Homeostasis and Aging: From Subcellular Signals to Systemic Aging", elucidating the systemic links between metabolism and aging regulation. Professor Jingwei Ma reported on recent progress regarding the decline of peripheral blood lactate levels as a trigger for thymic involution. Professor Qiang Zou introduced findings on leptin‑mediated suppression of T cell senescence. This was followed by a thematic discussion on immunosenescence and metabolism.

After the break, Professor Lei Chen, Professor Laiyuan Huang, Professor Qingpeng Kong, Professor Chuanyu Liu, Professor Junhong Luo, Professor Xiaoman Bi, and Professor Xuemeng Li delivered presentations on a range of topics, including immunosenescence from a single‑cell multi‑omics perspective, neutrophil heterogeneity and functional adaptation, endogenous anti‑aging factors in long‑lived populations, single‑cell genetics of peripheral immunity in human populations, predictive modeling of pMHC‑TCR interactions, immune characteristics and determinants of healthy centenarians in China, and sex‑dependent differences in peripheral blood immune cell subsets and anti‑aging functions in centenarians. The session concluded with an in‑depth discussion on atlas and longevity medicine.

The afternoon session on May 31 was chaired by Professor Mingzhao Zhu, who also delivered a talk on cytokine basal signaling in priming T cell responses. Professor Xiaohuan Guo presented on the regulatory mechanisms of gut mucosal immunity under food antigen stimulation. Professor Haiteng Deng shared research on senescence‑related mechanisms in microglia. Professor Xiaofen Wu reported on immunosenescence and age‑associated diseases. Professor Long Cheng introduced recent advances in telomere homeostasis and its modulation of tumor immunity. The session closed with a panel discussion on "Immunosenescence and Clinical Applications", which provided valuable perspectives for translating basic immunosenescence research into the prevention and treatment of age‑related diseases and clinical practice.

Plenary session on May 31 (Credit: Chinese Society for Immunology)

Significance of the Forum: Building a High‑Level Academic Platform for Immunosenescence Research

This forum focused on cutting‑edge directions including immunometabolism, T‑cell senescence, thymic involution, hematopoietic stem cell aging, tumor immunology, neuroimmunology, gut mucosal immunity, single‑cell multi‑omics, longevity medicine, and clinical translation, comprehensively presenting the latest research achievements and progress in the field of immunosenescence in China. The successful convening of the forum has established a new high‑level academic exchange platform for domestic immunosenescence research, while also contributing a Chinese solution with both scientific depth and practical value to address the global challenge of population aging.

Professor Chen Guobing, Editor‑in‑Chief, delivering a plenary presentation (Credit:  Chinese Society for Immunology)

As a co‑organizer of this forum, Aging Research was deeply engaged in the organization and academic exchanges: Professor Guobing Chen, Editor‑in‑Chief, served as co‑chair of the forum, presided over the opening ceremony, delivered an invited presentation, and systematically introduced the journal's philosophy and scope. Looking ahead, Aging Research will continue to uphold its core mission of “promoting the interdisciplinary integration of aging research and preventive medicine, and contributing to global healthy‑ageing efforts”. Leveraging high‑level academic platforms such as the CSI Immunology Frontier Forum series, the journal will facilitate academic exchanges and development in aging and geriatric medicine both domestically and internationally, actively disseminate the latest achievements and technologies in the field, drive scientific and technological progress and knowledge innovation in aging research in China, and contribute to aging health governance in China and globally.