Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (usually abbreviated poly I:C or poly(I:C)) is an immunostimulant. It is used in the form of its sodium salt to simulate viral infections.[1]
Poly I:C is known to interact with toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), which is expressed at the endosomal membrane of B-cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. Poly I:C is structurally similar to double-stranded RNA, which is present in some viruses and is a "natural" stimulant of TLR3. Thus, Poly I:C can be considered a syntheticanalog of double-stranded RNA and is a common tool for scientific research on the immune system.[2]
Poly I:C has been shown to activate schizophrenia-like behavior in the offspring of pregnant mice, which can be accompanied by decreased GABAergic transmission in the dentate gyrus.[3]
Optimization of physicochemical properties of poly I:C has led to generation of derivatives that have increased stability in body fluids (such as polyICLC), or reduced toxicity through reduced stability in body fluids (such as poly I:C12U).[4]
References
^Fortier ME, Kent S, Ashdown H, Poole S, Boksa P, Luheshi GN (October 2004). "The viral mimic, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, induces fever in rats via an interleukin-1-dependent mechanism". American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. 287 (4): R759 –R766. doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00293.2004. PMID15205185. S2CID24028101.
