The discovery of interferon in the 1950s represents much more than the identification of the first cytokine and the key mediator of anti‐viral host defense. Defining the molecular nature and complexity of the type I interferon family, as well as its inducers and molecular mechanisms of action, was the work of investigators working at the highest level and producing insights of great consequence. Current knowledge of receptor‐ligand interactions, cell signaling, and transcriptional regulation derive from studies of type I interferon. It is on the shoulders of the giants who produced that knowledge that others stand and have revealed critical mechanisms of the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases. The design of novel therapeutics is informed by the advances in investigation of type I interferon, with the potential for important impact on patient management.

中文翻译：

---

站在肩膀上：干扰素研究，从病毒干扰到狼疮发病机制和治疗

20 世纪 50 年代干扰素的发现不仅仅代表了第一个细胞因子和抗病毒宿主防御关键介质的鉴定。定义 I 型干扰素家族的分子性质和复杂性及其诱导剂和分子作用机制是最高水平研究人员的工作，并产生了重大影响的见解。目前关于受体-配体相互作用、细胞信号传导和转录调控的知识源自对 I 型干扰素的研究。其他人站在创造这些知识的巨人的肩膀上，并揭示了系统性红斑狼疮和其他自身免疫性疾病发病机制的关键机制。新型疗法的设计借鉴了 I 型干扰素研究的进展，可能对患者管理产生重要影响。