As the cross point during the necroptotic signaling pathway, RIP3 interacts with RIP1, TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) or Z-DNA binding protein 1 (DAI) to initiate necroptosis induced by death receptor ligation, Toll-like receptor ligation and virus infection, respectively3,22,31. Here, ZBP1 is linked to viral infectious disease.