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

Interferons (IFNs) are pivotal regulators of immunological processes. This paper describes mainly type I interferons -α and -β and their recently recounted signaling pathways, especially connected with ISGs - 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.