Nucleic Acid Sensors And Antiviral Immunity

The discovery of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the late 1990s ushered in a new age of discovery for innate immunity. The importance of TLRs for immunology and biomedical research was recognized with the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology in 2011. The prize was shared by three scientists: Ralph Steinman (for the discovery of dendritic cells, whi

The discovery of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the late 1990s ushered in a new age of discovery for innate immunity. The importance of TLRs for immunology and biomedical research was recognized with the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology in 2011. The prize was shared by three scientists: Ralph Steinman (for the discovery of dendritic cells, which express TLRs and whose activation by them provides a link between innate and adaptive immunity), Jules Hoffman (who made the pioneering observation of Toll in fruit fly anti-fungal immunity) and Bruce Beutler (who uncovered the role of TLR4 in the response to LPS) Work on TLRs inspired many researchers, and led to a search for other receptors in innate immunity. There are now several additional families of such receptors known, notably RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) and AIM2-like receptors (ALRs) A notable feature is the detection of nucleic acids from pathogens, but also from host cells in certain contexts, particularly in autoimmune diseases.Nucleic Acid Sensors and Antiviral Immunity presents a timely and extensive account of the detection of nucleic acids in infection and inflammation. We have chapters by Beutler, Hoffman and Shizuo Akira, who is the most cited immunologist of the past ten years, for his work on innate immunity, which gives us an indication of the importance of the field. Several other pioneers in the field present comprehensive and highly lucid up-to-date accounts of their particular interests, revealing the large amount of activity in the past few years, as the literature continues to grow and become ever more complex. The fly yet again provides new insights, and anti-viral mechanisms in this key model organism are described. Other topics include the ability of viruses such as poxviruses, hepatitis C virus and HIV to interfere with detection and signalling; new insights into signalling including subcellular localization of signalling proteins, complex regulation of TLRs and RLRs by ubiquination and negative regulation by miRNAs; and the role of autophagy in antiviral defence. The importance of the RLRs in viral detection is widely reviewed. DNA sensing by ALRs and other receptors is extensively described, and the prospect of additional as yet unknown receptors for DNA debated, revealing a field that is still burgeoning. The prospect of therapeutic utility is covered in the context of using nucleic acids or other compounds as agents to promote anti-viral immunity.This book therefore represents an unprecedented account of this important aspect of immunology, by a stellar cast of authors who have defined the field. We have a key resource which should act as a primary source of information. The chapters will inspire researchers to continue on their quest to provide mechanistic insights into anti-viral innate immunity. The discoveries provide us with new strategies in the never ending war between humanity and viral infection, and will help in the ultimate goal to provide treatments to use against viruses which continue to present a major threat to human health.

The discovery of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the late 1990s ushered in a new age of discovery for innate immunity. The importance of TLRs for immunology and biomedical research was recognized with the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology in 2011. The prize was shared by three scientists: Ralph Steinman (for the discovery of dendritic cells, which express TLRs and whose activation by them provides a link between innate and adaptive immunity), Jules Hoffman (who made the pioneering observation of Toll in fruit fly anti-fungal immunity) and Bruce Beutler (who uncovered the role of TLR4 in the response to LPS). Work on TLRs inspired many researchers, and led to a search for other receptors in innate immunity. There are now several additional families of such receptors known, notably RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) and AIM2-like receptors (ALRs). A notable feature is the detection of nucleic acids from pathogens, but also from host cells in certain contexts, particularly in autoimmune diseases. Nucleic Acid Sensors and Antiviral Immunity presents a timely and extensive account of the detection of nucleic acids in infection and inflammation. We have chapters by Beutler, Hoffman and Shizuo Akira, who is the most cited immunologist of the past ten years, for his work on innate immunity, which gives us an indication of the importance of the field. Several other pioneers in the field present comprehensive and highly lucid up-to-date accounts of their particular interests, revealing the large amount of activity in the past few years, as the literature continues to grow and become ever more complex. The fly yet again provides new insights, and anti-viral mechanisms in this key model organism are described. Other topics include the ability of viruses such as poxviruses, hepatitis C virus and HIV to interfere with detection and signalling; new insights into signalling including subcellular localization of signalling proteins, complex regulation o

Nucleic Acid Sensing and Immunity - PART B, Volume 345 gives a comprehensive overview of the nucleic acid machinery, from plants to mammalians, along with their regulation. Chapters in this updated volume include Nucleic acids sensing in allergic disorders, Nucleic acids sensing in autoimmune disorders, Nucleic acid sensing in inflammatory disorders, Viral nucleic acid sensing inflammasomes in intestinal host defense, Genome damage sensing leads to tissue homeostasis in Drosophila, Nucleic acids sensing in plants, Nucleic Acid sensing in invertebrates, amongst other topics. Provides an accurate, state-of-the-art resource on RNA sensing Includes the work of a well-known tumor immunologist Links intestinal host defense and viral nucleic acid sensing Presents a chapter on the negative regulation of DNA sensing, a timely topic

Until recently, innate immunity was regarded as a relatively nonspecific system designed to engulf and destroy pathogens. However, new studies show that the innate immune system is highly developed in its ability to discriminate between self and foreign entities. Understanding this mechanism can lead to therapeutic strategies based on manipulation

This Research Topic is the second volume of the “Community Series in Antiviral Innate Immune Sensing, Regulation, and Viral Immune Evasion”. Please see the first volume here. The innate immune system is crucial to defend against viruses or other pathogenic microbes in the early phases of infection. The response starts with detecting evolutionarily conserved structures, termed pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), by a set of germline-encoded pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Following the detection of specific viral PAMPs, PRRs trigger the activation of intracellular signaling cascades, ultimately leading to the induction of type I interferons (IFNs), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and antiviral genes through the activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and IRF7. Antiviral pathways need to be tightly regulated to ensure successful antiviral defenses and avoid aberrant or dysregulation of host immune signaling. We believe that the Research Topic will give updated insights into the dynamic fields of PAMPs sensing in antiviral innate immunity and viral immune evasion. We hope it will serve the purpose of encouraging new research. This Research Topic will provide an overall picture of antiviral innate immune sensing signal pathways, regulation, and viral immune evasion. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Hypothesis and Theory, and Perspective articles that cover, but are not limited to, the following subtopics:

Nucleic Acid Sensing and Immunity - PART A, Volume 344, provides a comprehensive overview of the nucleic acid machinery, from plants to mammalians, as well as their regulation. Specific chapters in this updated release include Molecular bases of discrimination between self from non-self nucleic acids, Intracellular RNA sensing in mammalian cells, Nuclear DNA damage and nucleic acid sensing, Negative regulation of nucleic acid sensing, Dendritic cell responses to exogenous nucleic acids, Activating the nucleic acid-sensing machinery for anticancer immunity, and Nucleic acid sensing and inflammasomes, amongst other topics. Provides an accurate, state-of-the-art resource on RNA sensing Includes the work of a well-known tumor immunologist Links intestinal host defense and viral nucleic acid sensing Presents a chapter on the negative regulation of DNA sensing, a timely topic