MicroRNA-33/33* inhibit the activation of MAVS through AMPK in antiviral innate immunity

Innate immunity plays a prominent role in the host defense against pathogens and must be precisely regulated. As vital orchestrators in cholesterol homeostasis, microRNA-33/33* have been widely investigated in cellular metabolism. However, their role in antiviral innate immunity is largely unknown. Here, we report that VSV stimulation decreased the expression of miR-33/33* through an IFNAR-dependent manner in macrophages. Overexpression of miR-33/33* resulted in impaired RIG-I signaling, enhancing viral load and lethality whereas attenuating type I interferon production both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, miR-33/33* specifically prevented the mitochondrial adaptor mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) from forming activated aggregates by targeting adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK), subsequently impeding the mitophagy-mediated elimination of damaged mitochondria and disturbing mitochondrial homeostasis which is indispensable for efficient MAVS activation. Our findings establish miR-33/33* as negative modulators of the RNA virus-triggered innate immune response and identify a previously unknown regulatory mechanism linking mitochondrial homeostasis with antiviral signaling pathways.