Pattern-recognition receptors for viral nucleic acids (PRRs) (PRRs)

Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) for viral nucleic acids are a specialized group of innate immune sensors that detect foreign DNA and RNA within the host cell to initiate an immune response (Kawai & Akira, 2011, PubMed: 21349080). This group includes endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9) and cytosolic sensors such as RIG-I-like receptors (RIG-I, MDA5) and the cGAS-STING pathway (Wu & Chen, 2014, PubMed: 24462232). Upon binding to viral genetic material, these receptors trigger signaling cascades, primarily through IRF3/7 and NF-κB, leading to the production of type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines that establish an antiviral state (Iwasaki & Medzhitov, 2015, PubMed: 25689444). In therapeutic contexts, PRRs are targeted by agonists to enhance immune responses against chronic viral infections and various cancers, or by antagonists to mitigate pathological inflammation in autoimmune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus (Corrales et al., 2015, PubMed: 26306129; Crow, 2014, PubMed: 24629334). Their precise regulation is critical, as overactivation can lead to severe systemic toxicity, such as cytokine release syndrome, or the development of autoimmune conditions (Tleugabulova et al., 2018, PubMed: 30107172).

Other names

Nucleic acid sensorsViral nucleic acid sensorsInnate immune nucleic acid receptorsViral sensors

Agonism of specific sensors (such as TLR3, TLR7/8, TLR9, RIG-I, or cGAS-STING) to induce the production of type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby enhancing antiviral or antitumor immunity; or antagonism of these pathways to suppress pathological inflammation in autoimmune conditions (Kawai & Akira, 2011, PubMed: 21349080; Corrales et al., 2015, PubMed: 26306129).