Mechanisms of type I interferon action and its role in infections and diseases transmission in mammals

Interferons (IFN) are pivotal regulators of immunological processes. The paper describes mainly type I interferons -α and –β and its recently recounted signaling pathways, especially ISG – interferon stimulated genes, having a crucial role in regulating IFN recruitment. Moreover, the paper shows the data on the role of interferons -α and –β in infections – not only commonly known viral infections, but also bacterial, fungal and parasitic.