RNA修飾が自然免疫系を回避する仕組みを解明(Innate immune system: How modified RNA tricks the immune system)

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2025-06-30 ミュンヘン大学(LMU)

LMUのホルヌング教授らの研究チームは、RNA修飾が自然免疫系による認識を回避する分子メカニズムを解明した。通常、ウイルスなどの外来RNAはTLR7/8受容体によってエンドリソソーム内で認識されるが、RNAに含まれるウリジンが修飾されたシュードウリジンに置き換わると、リソソーム酵素による分解が困難となり、結果として免疫応答が起きにくくなる。本知見は、mRNAワクチン(例:COVID-19)やRNA医薬の炎症副作用を抑える理論的基盤を提供し、RNA創薬の開発における新たな応用が期待される。

<関連情報>

疑似ウリジンRNAはエンドリソソーム処理とTLR関与の障害により免疫検出を回避する Pseudouridine RNA avoids immune detection through impaired endolysosomal processing and TLR engagement

Marleen Bérouti ∙ Mirko Wagner ∙ Wilhelm Greulich ∙ … ∙ Michael Sattler ∙ Thomas Carell thomas ∙ Veit Hornung
Cell  Published: 27 June 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2025.05.032

Graphical abstract

RNA修飾が自然免疫系を回避する仕組みを解明(Innate immune system: How modified RNA tricks the immune system)

Highlights

  • The non-immunogenicity of Ψ-RNA results from poor processing by lysosomal nucleases
  • RNase T2 and PLDs fail to generate TLR7 and TLR8 ligands from Ψ-modified RNA
  • Ψ and Ψ-RNA poorly engage distinct ligand-binding pockets of TLR8 and TLR7
  • m1Ψ evades nuclease cleavage but could activate TLR8 if released from RNA

Summary

Recognition of exogenous RNA by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is central to pathogen defense. Using two distinct binding pockets, TLR7 and TLR8 recognize RNA degradation products generated by endolysosomal nucleases. RNA modifications present in endogenous RNA prevent TLR activation; notably, pseudouridine-containing RNA lacks immunostimulatory activity. Indeed, this property has been critical to the successful implementation of mRNA technology for medical purposes. However, the molecular mechanism for this immune evasion has remained elusive. Here, we report that RNase T2 and PLD exonucleases do not adequately process pseudouridine-containing RNA to generate TLR-agonistic ligands. As a second safety mechanism, TLR8 neglects pseudouridine as a ligand for its first binding pocket and TLR7 neglects pseudouridine-containing RNA as a ligand for its second pocket. Interestingly, the medically used N1-methylpseudouridine also evades RNase T2, PLD3, and PLD4 processing but is able to directly activate TLR8. Taken together, our findings provide a molecular basis for self-avoidance by RNA-sensing TLRs.

細胞遺伝子工学
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