Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines that play crucial roles in antiviral activity, anti-proliferation, stimulation of cytotoxic T cells, and modulation of host immune responses. Like other cytokines, IFNs bind their receptors on the cell surface to activate intracellular signal transduction. The major signaling pathway activated by IFNs is the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, which leads to the transcriptional activation of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). More than 300 ISGs can be upregulated by IFNs. Among these ISGs are a myriad of antiviral effectors, including ISG15, myxovirus resistance 1 (MX1), ribonuclease L (RNase L), and protein kinase R (PKR). Given the potent antiviral responses elicited by IFN-activated JAK/STAT signaling, viruses have evolved diverse strategies to antagonize this pathway during infection. In this review, recent progress in understanding the functions of ISGs is summarized, with particular emphasis on viral antagonism of ISG-mediated antiviral responses.
Source: Frontiers in Immunology
Authors: Zhaobin Zhou, Yuchen Nan, Chunyan Wu
Institution: Northwest A&F University
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
Award: G4044137380
OpenAlex ID: W7223399309