Chicken DDX60 potentiates dsRNA analog-induced IFN-β signaling through synergistic interaction with MDA5.

Chicken DDX60 enhances dsRNA analog-induced IFN-β signaling by synergizing with MDA5 in the absence of RIG-I in chickens.

• Why it matters: Understanding innate immune mechanisms in chickens is crucial because they lack the key RNA sensor RIG-I, leaving gaps in knowledge about how they detect and respond to viral RNA infections, which impacts disease control and poultry health.
• What they did: The study used gene overexpression, knockdown, luciferase assays, co-immunoprecipitation, and molecular docking in chicken embryo fibroblast and DF-1 cells to investigate chicken DDX60's role in antiviral immunity, focusing on its interaction with MDA5 and downstream signaling pathways.
• The result: Findings reveal that chicken DDX60 acts as a positive regulator of IFN-β signaling by working with MDA5 to activate the antiviral signaling axis, providing new insights into avian innate immunity and potential antiviral strategies.