A new study led by Dr. Katharina Esser-Nobis reveals the intracellular molecular and biochemical interactions of RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) during the process of innate immune activation directed by virus infection and double stranded RNA (dsRNA).

This research examined all three RLRs, RIG-I, MDA5, LGP2, to reveal their intracellular movement and localization during acute RNA virus infection and the cellular response to dsRNA, a prominent pathogen associated molecular pattern that triggers innate immune activation. LGP2 function and localization were found to be key in regulating RLR signaling and innate immune activation. This work has implications for strategies to target the RLR pathway for the control of innate immune actions in immune programming against infection and autoimmunity.    

Spatiotemporal dynamics of innate immune signaling via RIG-I-like receptors.

Esser-Nobis K, Hatfield LD, Gale M Jr.  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Jun 22:201921861. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1921861117. Online ahead of print.PMID: 32571931