Nucleic Acid Sensing Perturbation: How Aberrant Recognition of Self-Nucleic Acids May Contribute to Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases

Bacteria and mammalian cells have developed sophisticated sensing mechanisms to detect and eliminate foreign genetic material or to restrict its expression and replication. Progress has been made in the understanding of these mechanisms, which keep foreign or unwanted nucleic acids in check. The complex of mechanisms involved in RNA and DNA sensing is part of a system which is now appreciated as “immune sensing of nucleic acids” or better “nucleic acid immunity.” Nucleic acids, which are critical components for inheriting genetic information in all species, including pathogens, are key structures recognized by the innate immune system. However, while nucleic acid recognition is required for host defense against pathogens, there is a potential risk of self-nucleic acids recognition. In fact, besides its essential contribution to antiviral or microbial defense and restriction of endogenous retro elements, deregulation of nucleic acid immunity can also lead to human diseases due to erroneous detection and response to self-nucleic acids, causing sterile inflammation and autoimmunity. In this review we will discuss the roles of nucleic acid receptors in guarding against pathogen invasion, and how the microbial environment could interfere or influence immune sensing in discriminating between self and non-self and how this may contribute to autoimmunity or inflammatory diseases.