Furthermore, unlike SV40 large TAg, exogenous hTERT did not impair the ability of IFN to restrict the replication of VSV or an ICP0-null mutant of HSV-1, both viruses being quite sensitive to the effects of IFN-β, nor did it hinder the ability of HEL cells to produce antiviral cytokines in response to viral infection. The gene discussed is IFNA1; the disease is viral infectious disease.