Abstract
Intrinsic and innate immune responses are essential lines of defense in the body's constant surveillance of pathogens. The discovery of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) as a key regulator of this primal response to infection brings an updated perspective to our understanding of cellular defense mechanisms. Here, we review the emerging multifaceted role of LLPS in diverse aspects of mammalian innate immunity, including DNA and RNA sensing and inflammasome activity. We discuss the intricate regulation of LLPS by post-translational modifications (PTMs), and the subversive tactics used by viruses to antagonize LLPS. This Review, therefore, underscores the significance of LLPS as a regulatory node that offers rapid and plastic control over host immune signaling, representing a promising target for future therapeutic strategies.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 454-469 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Trends in Immunology |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2024 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
Keywords
- DNA sensing
- LLPS
- PTMs
- RNA sensing
- immune signaling
- innate immunity
- membraneless organelles
- phase separation
- post-translational modification
- proteomics
- viral infection