Constitutive antiviral immunity at the expense of autoimmunity

Immunity. 2014 Feb 20;40(2):167-9. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2014.01.009.

Abstract

In this issue of Immunity, Funabiki et al. (2014) have identified in mice a mutation of the IFIH1 gene, encoding the viral receptor MDA5 that causes constitutive IFN production and fatal autoimmune disease. The authors show that the autoimmune disease-associated variant of human MDA5 is permanently switched on.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / genetics*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / physiopathology*
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / genetics*
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1

Substances

  • Ifih1 protein, mouse
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases
  • Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1