To sense or not to sense viral RNA—essentials of coronavirus innate immune evasion
E Kindler, V Thiel - Current opinion in microbiology, 2014 - Elsevier
E Kindler, V Thiel
Current opinion in microbiology, 2014•ElsevierHighlights•Coronaviruses employ versatile mechanisms to evade sensing of viral RNA.•Cap-
methylation of viral RNA facilitates innate immune evasion.•There is increasing evidence
that virus-encoded ribonucleases impact innate immune responses.An essential function of
innate immunity is to distinguish self from non-self and receptors have evolved to specifically
recognize viral components and initiate the expression of antiviral proteins to restrict viral
replication. Coronaviruses are RNA viruses that replicate in the host cytoplasm and evade …
methylation of viral RNA facilitates innate immune evasion.•There is increasing evidence
that virus-encoded ribonucleases impact innate immune responses.An essential function of
innate immunity is to distinguish self from non-self and receptors have evolved to specifically
recognize viral components and initiate the expression of antiviral proteins to restrict viral
replication. Coronaviruses are RNA viruses that replicate in the host cytoplasm and evade …
Highlights
- Coronaviruses employ versatile mechanisms to evade sensing of viral RNA.
- Cap-methylation of viral RNA facilitates innate immune evasion.
- There is increasing evidence that virus-encoded ribonucleases impact innate immune responses.
An essential function of innate immunity is to distinguish self from non-self and receptors have evolved to specifically recognize viral components and initiate the expression of antiviral proteins to restrict viral replication. Coronaviruses are RNA viruses that replicate in the host cytoplasm and evade innate immune sensing in most cell types, either passively by hiding their viral signatures and limiting exposure to sensors or actively, by encoding viral antagonists to counteract the effects of interferons. Since many cytoplasmic viruses exploit similar mechanisms of innate immune evasion, mechanistic insight into the direct interplay between viral RNA, viral RNA-processing enzymes, cellular sensors and antiviral proteins will be highly relevant to develop novel antiviral targets and to restrict important animal and human infections.
Elsevier