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Protective immunity against many viruses, as demonstrated in mice or tissue culture systems, involves the sensing of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viral intermediates or products by the cytosolic receptor melanoma differentiation–associated protein 5 (MDA5) and subsequent interferon production. Lamborn et al (J Exp Med 2017;214:1949-72; http://ift.tt/2yptQHS) have identified an important protective role for MDA5 against infection with the common cold virus, human rhinovirus. The authors found a homozygous missense mutation in the IFIH1 gene, which encodes MDA5, in a young child with recurrent viral infections of the respiratory tract.

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