title: The type I interferons: Basic concepts and clinical relevance in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
abstract: There is increasing scientific and clinical interest in elucidating the biology of type I Interferons, which began approximately 60 years ago with the concept of "viral interference", a property that reduces the ability of a virus to infect cells. Although our understanding of the multiple cellular and molecular functions of interferons has advanced significantly, much remains to be learned and type I Interferons remain an active and fascinating area of inquiry. In this review, we cover some general aspects of type I interferon genes, with emphasis on interferon-alpha, and various aspects of molecular mechanisms triggered by type I interferons and toll-like receptor signaling by the Janus activated kinase/signal transducer activation of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway and interferon regulatory factor pathway. We will also describe the role of type I interferons in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and its potential use as therapeutic agent.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology and Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: lopezdepadilla.consuelo@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Consuelo M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: López de Padilla
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology and Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: Niewold.Timothy@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Timothy B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Niewold
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000266:history / Q000276:immunology*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000235:genetics* / Q000266:history / Q000276:immunology*; D053612:Janus Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history / Q000276:immunology; D050791:STAT Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D050791:STAT Transcription Factors; D053612:Janus Kinases
keywords: Autoimmune diseases; Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies; Interferon alpha; Interferon beta; Interferon signature; Multiple sclerosis; Rheumatoid arthritis; Systemic lupus erythematosus