DDX41 recognizes RNA/DNA retroviral reverse transcripts and is critical for in vivo control of MLV infection

Abstract

Host recognition of viral nucleic acids generated during infection leads to the activation of innate immune responses essential for early control of virus. Retrovirus reverse transcription creates numerous potential ligands for cytosolic host sensors that recognize foreign nucleic acids, including single-stranded RNA (ssRNA), RNA/DNA hybrids and double stranded DNA (dsDNA). We and others recently showed that the sensors cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), dead-box helicase 41 (DDX41) and members of the Aim2-like receptor (ALR) family participate in the recognition of retroviral reverse transcripts. However, why multiple sensors might be required and their relative importance in in vivo control of retroviral infection is not known. Here we show that DDX41 primarily senses the DNA/RNA hybrid generated at the first step of reverse transcription, while cGAS recognizes dsDNA generated at the next step. We also show that both DDX41 and cGAS are needed for the anti-retroviral innate immune response to MLV and HIV in primary mouse macrophages and dendritic cells (DC). Using mice with macrophage- or -specific knockout of the DDX41 gene, we show that DDX41 sensing in DCs but not macrophages was critical for controlling in vivo MLV infection. This suggests that DCs are essential in vivo targets for infection, as well as for initiating the antiviral response. Our work demonstrates that the innate immune response to retrovirus infection depends on multiple host nucleic acid sensors that recognize different reverse transcription intermediates.\n\nImportanceViruses are detected by many different host sensors of nucleic acid, which in turn trigger innate immune responses, such as type I IFN production, required to control infection. We show here that at least two sensors are needed to initiate a highly effective innate immune response to retroviruses - DDX41, which preferentially senses the RNA/DNA hybrid generated at the first step of retrovirus replication and cGAS, which recognizes double-stranded DNA generated at the 2nd step. Importantly, we demonstrate using mice lacking DDX41 or cGAS, that both sensors are needed for the full antiviral response needed to control in vivo MLV infection. These findings underscore the need for multiple host factors to counteract retroviral infection.