Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production
08:32

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

Published on: March 2, 2014

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Prion-like MAVS fibrils stitch mitochondria to promote a rapid antiviral response

Xiaoyu Yu1,2, Panpan Wang1,2,3, Nanhai Zhou1,2

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.

Cellular & Molecular Immunology
|January 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) forms prion-like fibrils that rapidly activate innate immunity. These MAVS fibrils cluster on mitochondria, enhancing antiviral responses against invading viruses.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular and Molecular Immunology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Innate Immune Signaling

Background:

  • Rapid innate immune activation is crucial for host defense against microbial invasion.
  • RIG-I activation induces type I interferon transcription within an hour in virus-infected cells.
  • MAVS signaling, crucial for antiviral responses, involves mitochondrial aggregation, but its rapid transmission and molecular architecture are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanism and architecture of MAVS signaling aggregates.
  • To understand how MAVS achieves rapid signal transmission upon activation.
  • To investigate the role of MAVS aggregation in antiviral responses.

Main Methods:

  • Live-cell imaging to visualize MAVS aggregation and distribution.
  • Biochemical analysis of MAVS fibril formation and structure.
  • Functional assays to assess antiviral responses mediated by MAVS.

Main Results:

  • Activated MAVS forms fibrils that encircle mitochondria or connect adjacent mitochondria in a "ladder-like" fashion.
  • This "intermitochondrial activation" facilitates rapid signaling and enhances cellular antiviral responses.
  • MAVS fibrils trapped between mitochondria exhibit limited signal relay due to restricted access for cytosolic proteins.

Conclusions:

  • Prion-like MAVS fibrils on mitochondria are key to rapid antiviral immunity.
  • Mitochondrial clustering of MAVS fibrils ensures efficient and swift cellular defense against viruses.
  • Understanding MAVS aggregation dynamics provides insights into innate immune activation pathways.
Keywords:
Innate immunityMAVSmitochondriaprion-like fibrillationviral infection

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