Cell Host Microbe. 2008 Feb 14;3(2):59-61. Comment on: Cell Host Microbe. 2008 Feb 14;3(2):67-76. Type I interferon response to cytomegalovirus infection: the kick-start. Fodil-Cornu N, Vidal SM.

Host responses to cytomegalovirus infection include initial early production of alpha and beta interferons, also called type I interferons, which are elicited directly by viral products via Toll-like receptors. New data indicate that, preceding these events, an earlier critical type I interferon elicited in primary infected stromal cells via the lymphotoxin beta receptor system and mediated by B cells is necessary to kick-start an efficient antiviral response.