Targeting APT2 improves MAVS palmitoylation and antiviral innate immunity

Innate immunity serves as the primary defense against viral and microbial infections in humans. The precise influence of cellular metabolites, especially fatty acids, on antiviral innate immunity remains largely elusive. Here, through screening a metabolite library, palmitic acid (PA) has been identified as a key modulator of antiviral infections in human cells. Mechanistically, PA induces MAVS palmitoylation, aggregation and subsequent activation, thereby enhancing the innate immune response. The palmitoyl-transferase ZDHHC24 catalyzes MAVS palmitoylation, thereby boosting the TBK1-IRF3-IFN pathway, particularly under conditions of PA stimulation or high-fat diet feeding mouse models, leading to antiviral immune responses. Additionally, APT2 de-palmitoylates MAVS, thus inhibiting the antiviral signaling, suggesting that its inhibitors, such as ML349, effectively reverses MAVS activation in response to antiviral infections. These findings underscore the critical role of PA in regulating antiviral innate immunity through MAVS palmitoylation, and provide strategies of enhancing PA intake or targeting APT2 for combating viral infections.