Gamma interferon in antiviral defense

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 (i) bind to and inactivate extracellular IFN-g, (ii) interfere with the IFN-induced antiviral pathways, and/or (iii) prevent the processing and presentation of viral antigens. This book 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.