Recognition of single-stranded RNA viruses by Toll-like receptor 7

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0400937101
• Publication Date: 2004-03-20T01:13:08Z
• Authors: Jennifer M. Lund; Lena Alexopoulou; Ayuko Sato; Margaret Karow; Niels C. Adams; Nicholas W. Gale; Akiko Iwasaki; Richard A. Flavell
• Keywords: TLR7; TLR9; MDA5

Viral infection of mammalian host results in the activation innate immune responses. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been shown to mediate recognition many types pathogens, including viruses. The genomes viruses possess unique characteristics that are not found genomes, such as high CpG content and double-stranded RNA. These genomic nucleic acids serve molecular signatures associated with viral infections. Here we show TLR7 recognizes single-stranded RNA viruses, vesicular stomatitis virus influenza virus. these by plasmacytoid dendritic cells B through their costimulatory molecules production cytokines. Moreover, this required intact endocytic pathways. Mice deficient either or TLR adaptor protein MyD88 demonstrated reduced responses vivo demonstrate microbial ligand provide insights into pathways used pathogens.