Full Description
Gamma interferon (IFN-g) plays a central role in the generation of immune responses to viral infections, its production during infection is often associated with protective (Th1 type) immunity. Apart from its capacity to directly inhibit virus replication through the activation of several antiviral pathways, IFN-g also has profound influence on the processing and presentation pathways of viral antigens. Several viruses encode proteins that can bind to and inactivate extracellular IFN-g; interfere with the IFN-induced antiviral pathways; and/or prevent the processing and presentation of viral antigens. This text provides information on several aspects of the contributions of IFN-g in the control of viral infections and on how viruses have evolved to overcome a number of these antiviral responses.
