TRIM dsDNA sensor to restrict innate immune response

Abstract

The innate immune system, also known as the non-specific immune system, is the first line of defense utilized by the host to provide protection against infection by organisms. In order to combat infection by bacteria, viruses or fungi, host cells have evolved a repertoire of sophisticated systems to sense infection and trigger innate immune responses, through the engagement of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) or other pattern-recognition receptors on the cell surface.1 Upon the activation of pattern-recognition receptor, various immune responses are initiated, leading to the production of a variety of cytokines and pro-inflammatory factors such as type I interferons (IFN-α and IFN-β) by dendritic cells (DCs).2 However, these normally beneficial responses may lead to pathological consequences if they are not tightly controlled. For example, systemic autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis and Sjogren's syndrome, develop in response to continuous inflammatory signals, which create a feedback amplification loop for autoimmune responses.3