The type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway is well recognized as a pathway activated by
viral infections. It is activated by a variety of microbial pattern recognition receptors
including the Toll-like receptors NOD-like receptors and several cytosolic receptors.
Activation of the type I IFN pathway leads to the production of both antiviral factors and
products that influence immune cell function. More recently it has been shown that bacteria are
also capable of activating this pathway.Bacterial Activation of Type I Interferons reviews both
the current understanding of how different bacterial species are able to activate this pathway
as well as the influence type I IFNs have on the outcome to infection. Several different
bacterial species are covered spanning Gram positive and Gram negative intracellular
extracellular and different host infection sites. An introduction to the pathogenesis of each
organism is provided and the signaling molecules involved in the activation of the type I IFN
pathway and the role it plays in animal infection models are also covered.
