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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Confocal Imaging of Double-Stranded RNA and Pattern Recognition Receptors in Negative-Sense RNA Virus Infection
Published on: January 26, 2019
The response of mammalian cells to double-stranded RNA
Michael P Gantier1, Bryan R G Williams
1Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
Abstract:
Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has long been recognized as a central component of the interferon (IFN) system. It was originally characterized as a key mediator of IFN induction in response to virus infection. Subsequently, it was identified as a prime activator of the antiviral response. In recent years the discovery of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway in mammals has renewed interest in dsRNA-mediated cellular responses. This has coincided with the identification of key components of the IFN induction pathway. Here, we present an overview of the current knowledge of dsRNA-mediated pathways in mammalian cells and introduce a link between these pathways and application of RNAi.
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