Type I Interferon Response

Antiviral defense system activating hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes.

Overview

Pattern recognition receptors (RIG-I, MDA5, cGAS-STING, TLR3/7/9) detect viral nucleic acids and activate IRF3/7, inducing type I interferons (IFN-α/β). Secreted IFNs bind IFNAR, activating JAK-STAT to induce hundreds of ISGs that establish an antiviral state.

Cellular Location

Cytoplasm → nucleus

Clinical Significance

First line of antiviral defense; IFN therapies for hepatitis; many viruses evolved IFN evasion mechanisms.

Key Molecules

IFN-α IFN-β IFNAR1/2 STAT1/STAT2 IRF9 ISGF3 RIG-I MDA5 cGAS STING

Key Enzymes

cGAS TBK1 JAK1 TYK2 PKR RNase L

Related Pathways

JAK-STAT Pathway

Cytokine-driven signaling from receptor to gene expression via STAT dimerization.

Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) Signaling

Pattern recognition receptors activating innate immune responses.

NF-κB Pathway

Master regulator of inflammation, immunity, and cell survival.