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Innate immune recognition of viral infection

Nature Immunology volume 7, pages 131–137 (2006) Cite this article

Abstract

Induction of the antiviral innate immune response depends on recognition of viral components by host pattern-recognition receptors. Members of the Toll-like receptor family have emerged as key sensors that recognize viral components such as nucleic acids. Toll-like receptor signaling results in the production of type I interferon and inflammatory cytokines and leads to dendritic cell maturation and establishment of antiviral immunity. Cells also express cytoplasmic RNA helicases that function as alternative pattern-recognition receptors through recognition of double-stranded RNA produced during virus replication. These two classes of pattern-recognition receptor molecules are expressed in different intracellular compartments and induce type I interferon responses via distinct signaling pathways.

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Figure 1: Recognition of viral nucleic acids by TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9 in pDCs.
ImageThe alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.
Figure 2: TLR3-dependent signaling pathway.
ImageThe alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.
Figure 3: Signaling pathway triggered by RIG-I, Mda5 and DNA.
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Acknowledgements

We thank all members of our laboratory for discussions and insights.

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  1. Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan

    Taro Kawai & Shizuo Akira

  2. Department of Host Defense, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan

    Shizuo Akira

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Correspondence to Shizuo Akira.

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Kawai, T., Akira, S. Innate immune recognition of viral infection. Nat Immunol 7, 131–137 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni1303

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