Adenovirus virus-associated RNAs induce type I interferon expression through a RIG-I-mediated pathway.

The current study demonstrates that adenovirus virus-associated RNA (VA) is recognized by retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), a cytosolic pattern recognition receptor, and activates RIG-I downstream signaling, leading to the induction of type I interferons (IFNs), similarly to Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA. Further analysis revealed that adenovirus infection leads to biphasic type I IFN induction at 12 to 24 h and 48 to 60 h postinfection. The later induction coincided with VA expression and was reduced by virus UV inactivation or RIG-I silencing. These results suggest that VA-mediated RIG-I activation is involved in activating innate immune responses during adenovirus infection.