Our own RNA triggers an immune response to viral infections

RNA viruses, which include influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 (which causes COVID-19) and HIV, are one of the major threats that the immune system has to deal with. In a recent study published in the journal iScience, French and US research teams investigated the innate immune mechanisms used by the body in response to RNA viruses. This publication shows that some immune receptors that detect the presence of viral RNA are also activated by RNA produced by our cells, potentially enabling cells to react more quickly to infection.

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