The retinoblastoma protein Rb is a tumor suppressor involved in cell cycle control, differentiation, and inhibition of oncogenic transformation. Besides these roles, additional functions in the control of immune response have been suggested. In the present study we investigated the consequences of loss of Rb in viral infection. Here we show that virus replication is increased by the absence of Rb, and that Rb is required for the activation of the NF-kB pathway in response to virus infection. These results reveal a novel role for tumor suppressor Rb in viral infection surveillance and further extend the concept of a link between tumor suppressors and antiviral activityM.E. is funded by BIO2005-06264 and Fundación Botín. A.V. and C.R. are funded by SAF-06868 and BFU2005-00599, respectively, Fundación Mutua Madrileña, and CCG08-CSIC/SAL-3441 (CR). M.A.G. is supported by the CSIC I3P Program and J. G-S. is supported by the IFARHU-SENACYT Program from Panama. M.C. is supported by Fundación Botín and Juan de la Cierva Program. L.M-V. is supported by Comunidad de Madrid. P.G. is supported by the JAE-CSIC predoctoral Program. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewe
