Regulation and Dynamics of IFN-β Expression Revealed with a Knockin Reporter Mouse.

IFN-β is a potent antiviral cytokine and the first member of the type I IFN family of cytokines to be induced during the antiviral response. IFN-β plays an essential protective role in host defense against virus infections, as well as a pathogenic role in numerous autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders. However, contemporary tools to study the induction, kinetics, and behavior of IFN-β are lacking.

The AIM2-like Receptors Are Dispensable for the Interferon Response to Intracellular DNA.

Detection of intracellular DNA triggers activation of the STING-dependent interferon-stimulatory DNA (ISD) pathway, which is essential for antiviral responses. Multiple DNA sensors have been proposed to activate this pathway, including AIM2-like receptors (ALRs). Whether the ALRs are essential for activation of this pathway remains unknown.