Interferons (IFNs) are key cytokines in both innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses--and viruses counteract IFN action.

Interferons (IFNs) are transcriptionally regulated cytokines and key players in the innate antiviral immune response. Upon recognition of a virus, or its molecular patterns, by the Toll-like receptors of dendritic cells (DCs), high levels of IFNs are expressed by these cells. This in turn stimulates DC maturation and the subsequent expression of proinflammatory cytokines and costimulatory molecules, leading to the transition to an adaptive antiviral immunity. Conversely, viruses have developed diverse strategies to counterattack host defenses in order to generate their progenies.