RNA:DNA hybrids are a novel molecular pattern sensed by TLR9. (21st February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rigby, Rachel E; Webb, Lauren M; Mackenzie, Karen J; Li, Yue; Leitch, Andrea; Reijns, Martin A M; Lundie, Rachel J; Revuelta, Ailsa; Davidson, Donald J; Diebold, Sandra; Modis, Yorgo; MacDonald, Andrew S; Jackson, Andrew P
• Is Part Of: EMBO journal. Volume 33:Number 6(2014)
• Page Start: 542
• Page End: 558
• Publication Date: 2014-02-21
• Subjects: Molecular biology -- Periodicals; 572.805
• DOI: 10.1002/embj.201386117
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-4189

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="embj201386117-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The sensing of nucleic acids by receptors of the innate immune system is a key component of antimicrobial immunity. RNA:DNA hybrids, as essential intracellular replication intermediates generated during infection, could therefore represent a class of previously uncharacterised pathogen‐associated molecular patterns sensed by pattern recognition receptors. Here we establish that RNA:DNA hybrids containing viral‐derived sequences efficiently induce pro‐inflammatory cytokine and antiviral type I interferon production in dendritic cells. We demonstrate that MyD88‐dependent signalling is essential for this cytokine response and identify TLR9 as a specific sensor of RNA:DNA hybrids. Hybrids therefore represent a novel molecular pattern sensed by the innate immune system and so could play an important role in host response to viruses and the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease.</p> </abstract>