Latest advances in innate antiviral defence

Recent identification of key components in the pattern recognition receptor pathway of retinoic acid-inducible gene-1-like receptors, coupled with the characterisation of a new cytoplasmic DNA-sensing molecule, has led to a greater understanding of the role that viral nucleic acids play in activating innate immunity. This activation of type-I interferon is essential for both limiting viral infection and stimulating activation of the adaptive immune response.