Immunomodulatory Functions of Type I Interferons

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2012 Jan 7

PMID 22222875

Citations 517

Authors

Jose M Gonzalez-Navajas

JongDae Lee

Michael David

Eyal Raz

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Interferon-α (IFNα) and IFNβ, collectively known as type I IFNs, are the major effector cytokines of the host immune response against viral infections. However, the production of type I IFNs is also induced in response to bacterial ligands of innate immune receptors and/or bacterial infections, indicating a broader physiological role for these cytokines in host defence and homeostasis than was originally assumed. The main focus of this Review is the underappreciated immunomodulatory functions of type I IFNs in health and disease. We discuss their function in the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses, the response to bacterial ligands, inflammasome activation, intestinal homeostasis and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

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