Is RNA interference a physiologically relevant innate antiviral immune response in mammals?

Bryan R Cullen; Sara Cherry; Benjamin R tenOever

doi:10.1016/j.chom.2013.09.011

Is RNA interference a physiologically relevant innate antiviral immune response in mammals?

Cell Host Microbe. 2013 Oct 16;14(4):374-8. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2013.09.011.

Authors

Bryan R Cullen¹, Sara Cherry, Benjamin R tenOever

Affiliation

¹ Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology and Center for Virology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Electronic address: bryan.cullen@duke.edu.

PMID: 24139396
DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2013.09.011

Abstract

While RNA interference (RNAi) functions as an antiviral response in plants, nematodes, and arthropods, a similar antiviral role in mammals has remained controversial. Three recent papers provide evidence that either favors or challenges this hypothesis. Here, we discuss these new findings in the context of previous research.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / drug effects*
Humans
Immunity, Innate*
Mammals / immunology*
RNA Interference*
RNA Viruses / immunology*