response to type I interferon

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

Any process that results in a change in state or activity of a cell or an organism (in terms of movement, secretion, enzyme production, gene expression, etc.) as a result of a type I interferon stimulus. Type I interferons include the interferon-alpha, beta, delta, episilon, zeta, kappa, tau, and omega gene families. [GOC:add, ISBN:0126896631, PMID:15546383, PMID:16681834]

Type I interferons (IFNs), including IFN-α and IFN-β, are key cytokines in the innate immune response to viral infections. Their production and signaling are triggered by the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as viral nucleic acids, by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).

Upon binding to their cognate receptor, IFNAR, type I IFNs activate intracellular signaling pathways, primarily involving the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. This pathway leads to the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT2, which dimerize and translocate to the nucleus. In the nucleus, they associate with interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9) to form the ISGF3 complex. ISGF3 binds to interferon-stimulated response elements (ISREs) in the promoters of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), leading to their transcription and translation.

ISGs encode a diverse array of proteins that collectively contribute to the antiviral state. These proteins include:

- **Antiviral effector proteins:** such as protein kinase R (PKR), 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS), and Mx proteins, which directly interfere with viral replication.
- **Immune modulators:** such as chemokines and cytokines, which recruit and activate immune cells.
- **Apoptosis-inducing proteins:** which eliminate infected cells to prevent viral spread.
- **Antigen presentation molecules:** which enhance the ability of immune cells to recognize and eliminate infected cells.

The induction of ISGs creates an antiviral state that inhibits viral replication, promotes viral clearance, and activates adaptive immune responses.

In addition to their antiviral role, type I IFNs also have immunomodulatory functions. They can activate natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and macrophages, leading to the production of cytokines and the presentation of viral antigens to T cells.

The response to type I IFN is a complex and tightly regulated process that involves multiple signaling pathways and a diverse array of effector molecules. This response plays a critical role in controlling viral infections and maintaining immune homeostasis.'
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Proteins (3)

Compounds (15)