title: Functions of DNA damage machinery in the innate immune response to DNA virus infection.
abstract: DNA is potently immunostimulatory, and self-DNA is packaged in the nucleus or mitochondria allowing it to remain silent to cell-intrinsic sensors. However, damaged or mislocalised self-DNA is sensed by our innate immune systems, resulting in the production of type I interferons (IFNI), chemokines and inflammatory cytokines. During DNA virus infection the detection of viral DNA genomes by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) is essential for the initiation of IFNI responses and host defence against these pathogens. It is intriguing that a number of molecular mechanisms have been found to be common to both of these DNA-induced stress responses and this has potentially important consequences for both sides of the host/pathogen arms race.
authors: Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.
authors: Ben J
authors: BJ
authors: Trigg
authors: Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK. Electronic address: bf234@cam.ac.uk.
authors: Brian J
authors: BJ
authors: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000276:immunology*; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000276:immunology; D004266:DNA Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D004267:DNA Viruses / Q000276:immunology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition