Type I interferon as a stimulus for cross-priming

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