Understanding the molecular bases of innate immune responses to foreign or mislocalized self-DNA

Abstract

We previously described that Murine polyomavirus MPyV induces type I interferon (IFN) responses via the sensors, p204 (human IFI16 homolog) and cGAS which sense viral genomes and micronucleus-like bodies generated during infection1. Sensing by both DNA sensors leads to canonical STING activation. During MPyV infection, there are additional cell responses are activated such as DNA damage response and apoptosis, therefore we investigated a possible contribution of the DNA damage in the activation of a STING non-canonical pathway and the role of sublethal apoptosis in the induction of innate immune responses to the infection by MPyV.