MDA5 governs the innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in lung epithelial cells

Using a SARS-CoV-2 infection permissive cell line Calu-3, it was shown that MDA5 and LGP2, not RIG-I, are the major sensors recognizing SARS-CoV-2 infection. Double stranded RNA intermediate generated in the SARS-CoV-2 replication process is considered to be recognized by the intracellular sensors for the induction of interferon responses.