Interferon-stimulated genes: roles in viral pathogenesis

Abstract

Interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) are critical for controlling virus infections. As new antiviral ISGs continue to be identified and characterized, their roles in viral pathogenesis are also being explored in more detail. Our current understanding of how ISGs impact viral pathogenesis comes largely from studies in knockout mice, with isolated examples from human clinical data. This review outlines recent developments on the contributions of various ISGs to viral disease outcomes in vivo.

Figure 1

Overview of the general innate immune response to viral infection. Incoming or replicating viral genomes are detected by viral sensors. Adaptor proteins initiate a signaling cascade that results in activation of transcription factors. Type I/III IFNs and are produced and secreted from the infected cell. They act on neighboring cells through the JAK/STAT pathway, leading to widespread ISG induction. The majority of downstream ISGs that have been targeted for deletion in mice are listed in this figure.