Defective Interfering Genomes and the Full-Length Viral Genome Trigger RIG-I After Infection With Vesicular Stomatitis Virus in a Replication Dependent Manner

• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.595390
• Publication Date: 2021-04-30T05:44:10Z
• Authors: Andreas Linder; Viktoria Bothe; Nicolas Linder; Paul Schwarzlmueller; Frank Dahlström; Christoph Bartenh...; Martin Dugas; Dharmendra Pandey; Julia Thorn-Seshold; Daniel F. R. Boehmer; Lars M. Koenig; Sebastian Kobold; Max Schnurr; Johannes Raedler; Giulia Spielmann; Hadi Karimzadeh; Andreas Schmidt; Stefan Endres; Simon Rothenfusser
• Keywords: RIG-I

Replication competent vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is the basis of a vaccine against Ebola and VSV strains are developed as oncolytic viruses. Both functions depend on ability to induce adequate amounts interferon-α/β. It therefore important understand how triggers interferon responses. activates innate immunity via retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), sensor for viral RNA. Our results show that needs replicate robust response. Analysis RIG-I-associated RNA identified copy-back defective-interfering (DI) genome full-length genomes main trigger RIG-I. stocks depleted DI lost most their interferon-stimulating activity. The remaining leader-N-read-through sequences, however, still triggered Awareness immune responses will help standardize content purposefully deplete or use natural adjuvants in VSV-based therapeutics.