RNase L releases a small RNA from HCV RNA that refolds into a potent PAMP.

Triggering and propagating an intracellular innate immune response is essential for control of viral infections. RNase L is a host endoribonuclease and a pivotal component of innate immunity that cleaves viral and cellular RNA within single-stranded loops releasing small structured RNAs with 5'-hydroxyl (5'-OH) and 3'-monophosphoryl (3'-p) groups. In 2007, we reported that RNase L cleaves self RNA to produce small RNAs that function as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs).