INTRODUCTIONInterferons (IFNs) are pleiotropic cytokines with antiviral, antitumor and immunomodulatory properties, being central coordinators of the immune response (1). The term “interferons” comes from the description of molecules protecting cells by “interfering” with viral infection (2, 3). Three major types of IFNs are distinguished by their sequence identity, genetic loci, cell of origin,..