双链RNA z-bio 2021-02-16 420

　　In a new study, Veit Hornung of the University of Munich in Germany and his team confirmed that a protein called NRLP1 found in skin cells can recognize specific nucleic acid intermediates formed during virus replication. This recognition process then induces a powerful inflammatory response. The relevant research results were published online in Science on November 26, 2020, and the title of the paper is "Human NLRP1 is a sensor for double-stranded RNA".

　　The ability to distinguish between self and potentially harmful non-self is essential to maintaining the integrity and survival of the organism. In most organisms, the so-called innate immune system is responsible for identifying such invaders (non-self). Among the proteins that perform this task, there is a class of proteins called inflammasome sensors. Once activated, these sensor proteins form an inflammasome complex, which then triggers a series of inflammatory responses, and in some cases, the death of infected cells.

　　In this new study, Hornung’s team, in collaboration with colleagues at the Technical University of Munich and the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, has now confirmed that a sensor protein found in skin cells directly interacts with certain RNA viruses. A combination of specific molecular structures produced during the replication process. These new findings emphasize the importance of epithelial cells as a barrier against invading pathogens.