RIG-I detects infection with live Listeria by sensing secreted bacterial nucleic acids

EMBO J. 2012 Nov 5;31(21):4153-64. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2012.274. Epub 2012 Oct 12.

Abstract

Immunity against infection with Listeria monocytogenes is not achieved from innate immune stimulation by contact with killed but requires viable Listeria gaining access to the cytosol of infected cells. It has remained ill-defined how such immune sensing of live Listeria occurs. Here, we report that efficient cytosolic immune sensing requires access of nucleic acids derived from live Listeria to the cytoplasm of infected cells. We found that Listeria released nucleic acids and that such secreted bacterial RNA/DNA was recognized by the cytosolic sensors RIG-I, MDA5 and STING thereby triggering interferon β production. Secreted Listeria nucleic acids also caused RIG-I-dependent IL-1β-production and inflammasome activation. The signalling molecule CARD9 contributed to IL-1β production in response to secreted nucleic acids. In conclusion, cytosolic recognition of secreted bacterial nucleic acids by RIG-I provides a mechanistic explanation for efficient induction of immunity by live bacteria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytoplasm / immunology
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism*
  • Cytoplasm / microbiology
  • DEAD Box Protein 58
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / genetics
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / physiology*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology*
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Inflammation / microbiology
  • Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1
  • Listeria monocytogenes / genetics
  • Listeria monocytogenes / immunology*
  • Listeriosis / genetics
  • Listeriosis / immunology*
  • Listeriosis / microbiology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / microbiology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Bacterial / immunology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins
  • Card9 protein, mouse
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Membrane Proteins
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Sting1 protein, mouse
  • Ddx58 protein, mouse
  • Ifih1 protein, mouse
  • DEAD Box Protein 58
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases
  • Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1