Congratulations to Anna and Valter for publishing a function role of the alternative CBC! The alternative cap binding complex consisting of NCBP1 and -3 exports mRNA but is redundant under physiological conditions. However, virus infection or challenge with innate immune stimuli revealed a critical function of the alternative CBC in modulation of the innate immune system. This was particularly evident in NCBP3 deficient mice that showed increased susceptibility to influenza A virus infection.