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Updated: May 11, 2026

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production
Published on: March 2, 2014
RNA interference-mediated intrinsic antiviral immunity in invertebrates
Arabinda Nayak1, Michel Tassetto, Mark Kunitomi
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94122-2280, USA.
Abstract:
In invertebrates such as insects and nematodes, RNA interference (RNAi) provides RNA-based protection against viruses. This form of immunity restricts viral replication and dissemination from infected cells and viruses, in turn, have evolved evasion mechanisms or RNAi suppressors to counteract host defenses. Recent advances indicate that, in addition to RNAi, other related small RNA pathways contribute to antiviral functions in invertebrates. This has led to a deeper understanding of fundamental aspects of small RNA-based antiviral immunity in invertebrates and its contribution to viral spread and pathogenesis.
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