Advances in Cytosolic dsRNA Sensing of Viral Infections

ABSTRACT

Detection of abnormal RNA species, such as dsRNA, in the cell cytoplasm underscores innate immune response to viral infections. In humans, the cytosolic dsRNA sensors include RLRs (RIG‐I, MDA5, and LGP2), PKR, and OASs (OAS1, OAS2, OAS3, and OASL). These receptors are all known to bind varying forms of dsRNA and activate differential signaling pathways whose outcome is to limit viral replication. In this article, we describe some of the major recent advances in dsRNA sensing of viral infections, such as the role of endogenous host RNAs in activating sensors, phase separation as a new layer of sensor regulation, cell type‐specific versus universal pathway regulation mechanisms, and the interplay between these pathways within the cell. We have focused on key discoveries of the past 2 years, mainly in mammalian systems.