Journal Article

RNA Recognition and Immunity—Innate Immune Sensing and Its Posttranscriptional Regulation Mechanisms

Uehata, Takuya, Takeuchi, Osamu

2020

Overview

RNA acts as an immunostimulatory molecule in the innate immune system to activate nucleic acid sensors. It functions as an intermediate, conveying genetic information to control inflammatory responses. A key mechanism for RNA sensing is discriminating self from non-self nucleic acids to initiate antiviral responses reliably, including the expression of type I interferon (IFN) and IFN-stimulated genes. Another important aspect of the RNA-mediated inflammatory response is posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression, where RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) have essential roles in various RNA metabolisms, including splicing, nuclear export, modification, and translation and mRNA degradation. Recent evidence suggests that the control of mRNA stability is closely involved in signal transduction and orchestrates immune responses. In this study, we review the current understanding of how RNA is sensed by host RNA sensing machinery and discuss self/non-self-discrimination in innate immunity focusing on mammalian species. Finally, we discuss how posttranscriptional regulation by RBPs shape immune reactions.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Acids / Animals / Antigens / Binding sites / Cytokines / Cytotoxicity / Disease - genetics / Gene expression / Gene Expression Regulation / Humans / Immune response / Immunity, Innate - genetics / Immunostimulation / Infections / Inflammation / Innate immunity / Interferon / Kinases / Ligands / Lymphocytes / mRNA stability / Nuclear transport / Pathogens / Post-transcription / Proteins / Review / RIG-I-like receptors / RNA - genetics / RNA binding proteins / RNA modification / RNA virus / RNA, Viral - metabolism / RNA-binding protein / Sensors / Signal transduction / Splicing / Toll-like receptors / Transcription, Genetic / Transfer RNA / type I interferons / Viral infections / Viruses