Type I interferon during viral infections: multiple triggers for a multifunctional mediator.
Type I interferons (IFN-I) orchestrate numerous biological and cellular processes and are essential elements during host antiviral defense. After recognition of highly conserved virus signatures, a complex network of signaling events is rapidly initiated and leads to IFN-I synthesis. These cytokines directly induce a strong antiviral state and exert several immune-regulatory actions aimed at preventing virus spread. On the other hand, viruses evolved to evade or subvert the IFN-I system for their own benefit. In the present article, we review selective aspects of IFN-I induction and functions during several viral infections and discuss the beneficial and detrimental roles of IFN-I illustrated during lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection in its natural host, the mouse.
Zuniga
E I
EI
Department of Molecular and Integrative Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA. ezuniga@scripps.edu
Hahm
B
B
Oldstone
M B A
MB
D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology*; D008216:Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology
D007370:Interferon Type I; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors