Mutual regulations between and type I interferon.

In the decades since the discovery, Type I interferon (IFN-I) has been intensively studied for their antiviral activity. However, increasing evidences suggest that it may also play an important role in the infection of , a model organism for intracellular parasites. Recent studies demonstrated that the induction of IFN-I by the parasite depends on cell type, strain genotype, and mouse strain. IFN-I can inhibit the proliferation of , but few studies showed that it is beneficial to the growth of the parasite. Meanwhile, also can secrete proteins that impact the pathway of IFN-I production and downstream induced interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) regulation, thereby escaping immune destruction by the host. This article reviews the major findings and progress in the production, function, and regulation of IFN-I during infection, to thoroughly understand the innate immune mechanism of infection, which provides a new target for subsequent intervention and treatment.