Effector-triggered immunity in mammalian antiviral defense

Effector-triggered immunity (ETI) is a common defense strategy used by mammalian host cells that is engaged upon detection of the enzymatic activities of pathogen-encoded proteins or the effects of their expression on cellular homeostasis. However, in contrast to the effector-triggered responses engaged upon bacterial infection, much less is understood about the activation and consequences of these responses following viral infection. Several recent studies have identified novel mechanisms by which viruses engage ETI, highlighting the importance of these immune responses in antiviral defense. We summarize recent advances in understanding how mammalian cells sense virus-encoded effector proteins, the downstream signaling pathways that are triggered by these sensing events, and how viruses manipulate these pathways to become more successful pathogens.