Non‐conventional signal transduction by type 1 interferons: The NF‐κB pathway

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Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) regulate diverse cellular functions by modulating the expression of IFN‐stimulated genes (ISGs) through the activation of the well established signal transduction pathway of the Janus Kinase (JAK) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins. Although the JAK–STAT signal transduction pathway is critical in mediating IFN's antiviral and antiproliferative activities, other signaling pathways are activated by IFNs and regulate cellular response to IFN. The NF‐κB transcription factor regulates the expression of genes involved in cell survival and immune responses. We have identified a novel IFN mediated signal pathway that leads to NF‐κB activation and demonstrate that a subset of ISGs that play key roles in cellular response to IFN is regulated by NF‐κB. This review focuses on the IFN‐induced NF‐κB activation pathway and the role of NF‐κB in ISG expression, antiviral activity and apoptosis, and the therapeutic application of IFN in cancer and infectious disease. J. Cell. Biochem. 102: 1087–1094, 2007.