Interferons in Down syndrome: When more is less

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are at a lower risk for viral infections than the general population, yet their infectious episodes are often more serious. In this issue of Immunity, Malle et al. provide important mechanistic insight into this paradox, showing that individuals with DS have dysregulated IFN-I responses with increased initial signaling translating into a refractory state that makes their immune systems less capable of controlling viral infections.

Automated summary

The article reveals that individuals with Down syndrome have a lower risk of viral infections but suffer more severe infectious episodes. Dysregulated IFN-I responses in individuals with DS lead to increased initial signaling, resulting in a refractory state that reduces their immune system's ability to control viral infections.