Type I interferon as a stimulus for cross-priming

Type I interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) is induced rapidly by infection and is well recognised for its crucial role in innate defence. However, it is evident that IFN-alpha/beta also serves as a signal for the generation of adaptive immune responses. In this review, we focus on the involvement of IFN-alpha/beta in the induction of CD8(+) T cell responses by cross-priming. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.