IRF1 Maintains Optimal Constitutive Expression of Antiviral Genes and Regulates the Early Antiviral Response

Viral defense at mucosal sites depends on interferons (IFN) and IFN stimulated genes (ISGs), either of which may be constitutively expressed to maintain an “antiviral state (AVS). However, the mechanisms that govern the AVS is poorly defined. Using a respiratory epithelial cell line deficient in IRF1, we demonstrate higher susceptibility to infection with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and influenza. IRF1-mediated restriction of VSV is...