Exposing viruses: RNA patterns sensed by RIG-I-like receptors

Abstract

Introduction: Virus infection triggers a multitude of innate immune pathways that limit viral replication, restrict viral spread and coordinate antigen-specific, adaptive immune responses. Type-I interferons (IFNs) play a crucial role in these events. Innate receptors expressed by the host cell recognize virus presence and signal for rapid IFN induction following infection. Scope: This review article discusses recent progress in our understanding of how cytoplasmic RIG-I-like receptors detect infection with RNA viruses. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010.